GNC Systems Engineer w/TS/SCI Clearance

Columbus Technologies and Services; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits

Contract position

Job summary

Columbus Technologies and Services seeks a cleared Guidance and Control Engineer for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. You will advance spacecraft GNC architectures, designs, algorithms, simulations and flight software, with performance validation and on-orbit operations.

You will lead teams, develop and test advanced GNC solutions, and ensure documentation and validation of subsystem performance prior to delivery. TS/SCI clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical or related field with 6+ years of experience; or Master’s with 4+ years; PhD with 2+ years.
• Active TS/SCI clearance is required.
• Strong background in modern guidance, estimation and control for aerospace systems.
• Experience in R&D of advanced GNC systems for precision pointing.
• Proven ability to lead teams and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Conceive, design, analyze, simulate and evaluate complex GNC subsystem performance.
• Deliver advanced algorithms and flight software for integration and test.
• Develop and execute detailed subsystem test plans at system level.
• Lead teams that develop and operate GNC systems and coordinate validation/documentation.

Skills

GNC

Flight software

Team leadership

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering / Electrical / Mechanical

6+ years of relevant experience

Master's degree (optional)

PhD (optional)

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

OVERVIEW

Must have an Active TS/SCI Clearance

Duration: 12 month contract position with potential to be extended or converted W2 with full benefits Customer and contract specific training will be required and provided.

Location: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA (onsite)

Offer contingent on ability to successfully pass a background check and drug screen

Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

JOB DESCRIPTION

As a cleared Guidance and Control Engineer at JPL, you will work for the Guidance and Control Section in the Control Analysis Group. You will contribute to the advancement and development of spacecraft and payload/instrument guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) architectures, designs, algorithms, simulations, flight software implementations, performance validation and on-orbit commissioning and operations.

• Conceiving, designing, analyzing, simulating, and evaluating complex GNC subsystem performance.


• Delivering advanced algorithms and associated flight software code for integration and test at the GNC subsystem and system level.


• Developing and executing detailed subsystem test and verification plans at the system level.


• Leading teams that develop and operate GNC systems and coordinating the validation and documentation of subsystem performance prior to delivery.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• A Bachelor\'s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field with at least 6 years of relevant experience; or a Master\'s degree with at least 4 years of experience; or a PhD with at least 2 years of experience.


• Active TS/SCI clearance.


• Strong technical background in modern guidance, estimation, and control for aerospace systems.


• Experience in the research and development of advanced GNC systems for precision pointing.


• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in teams and lead technical efforts; excellent communication and presentation skills.

DESIRED SKILLS

• GNC system architectures.


• Precision payload dynamics and controls.


• Advanced control methods (linear and nonlinear).


• Estimation (Kalman filtering, random processes, nonlinear filtering, computer vision).


• Linear and nonlinear dynamics, multi-rigid-body dynamics.


• On-board guidance and navigation (optimization, convex methods).


• Attitude estimation and control.


• Precision pointing control.


• Pointing, acquisition, and tracking systems.


• GNC for autonomous aerial vehicles.


• Rotorcraft dynamics and control.


• Vision-based navigation.


• Terrain-relative navigation (TRN).


• 3D lidar-based navigation.


• Fast steering mirror control.


• High-bandwidth mechatronics.


• Active and passive vibration control.


• Control of gimbaled or articulated platforms.


• Controlled optics.


• Optical wavefront and path-length control.


• Structural modeling and finite element analysis.


• GNC-related on-board and ground calibration.


• Integrated modeling (flexible structures/optics/thermal, dynamics and control).


• Time-domain simulation and multi-rate systems.


• Small spacecraft design.


• Multi-vehicle formation flying.


• Control of large monolithic or segmented telescopes.


• Control of large distributed systems.


• Aerodynamic control for deep-space planetary exploration.


• Comfortable working with Matlab/Simulink.


• Strong background in technology development.


• Experience with instrument/optical pointing systems and integrated GNC hardware/software.


• Experience with lasers, detectors, fast steering mirrors, and high-rate control systems.


• Experience in autonomous system design and spacecraft autonomy.


• Demonstrated ability to manage cost and schedule in new technology development.


• General familiarity with signal processing.

Must have an Active TS/SCI Clearance.