Guidance and Control Engineer II - TS/SCI

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 118,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Flexible schedule

Parental leave

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA is seeking a versatile GNC Engineer to develop and validate guidance, navigation, and control architectures for space missions. You will design algorithms, implement flight software, and validate performance in simulations and on-orbit contexts.

The role requires a strong background in feedback control systems, MATLAB/Simulink, and the ability to work across complex, classified programs within a collaborative team. A TS/SCI clearance is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 3+ years of relevant experience or Master’s with 1+ year relevant experience.
• Proficiency with MATLAB and Simulink; background in feedback control systems (Bode plots, gain and phase margin).
• Ability to pivot quickly between tasks in a fast-paced development environment.
• Ability to adapt to diverse simulation environments and data formats; adapt workflows.
• Strong teamwork and communication of technical results.

Responsibilities

• Develop algorithmic models, simulation, and analysis for a complex GNC subsystem.
• Design, develop, and deliver/maintain advanced algorithms and models with software code for integration and test.
• Validate model performance and tune for physical accuracy.
• Develop and execute detailed subsystem test and verification plans.

Skills

MATLAB & Simulink

Control systems

Team communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer Engineering or related field

Tools

Simulation environments

Job description

Job Details New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers- literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL. Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence. This unique opportunity is part of the Mechanical and Control Systems Division, which is responsible for technology development, advanced concepts, design, development, delivery, integration and test, verification and validation, and operation of complex Mechanical, Thermal, Propulsion, Robotics, and Guidance and Control (G&C) systems. The Division’s Guidance & Control Section develops advanced spacecraft and payload Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) architectures, designs, algorithms, simulations, and hardware development. The Section provides end-to-end expertise ranging from early-stage conceptual design and systems engineering analysis to development and performance validation to flight software implementation to on-orbit commissioning and operations. Our team develops the critical systems that enable precision pointing, autonomous navigation, and complex motion control for a diverse array of mission profiles, including pin-point landing, space rendezvous, and formation flying as well as world-class research and technology development in autonomous guidance, navigation and control systems. We are seeking a versatile, cross-functional GNC Engineer to support our classified programs. 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 architectures, designs, algorithms, simulations, flight software implementations, performance validation and on-orbit commissioning and operations.

Responsibilities

In this position, you will be responsible for the development of algorithmic models, simulation, and analysis for a highly complex GNC subsystem. You will be a member of a team that develops and operates these systems and coordinates efforts to validate and document performance prior to delivery to the customers.

• Conceptualizing, designing, analyzing, simulating, and evaluating the performance of a highly advanced GNC subsystem and the electro-mechanical sensors and actuators that are part of that subsystem
• Design, development, and delivery/maintenance of advanced algorithms and models with associated software code, including simulation and flight code, for integration and test at the GNC subsystem and system level
• Model validation and tuning to ensure physical accuracy
• Development and execution of detailed subsystem test and verification plans

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience; or a Master’s degree with a minimum of 1 year of relevant experience.
• Ability to obtain a TS/SCI Proficiency with MATLAB and Simulink Technical background in feedback control systems (bode plots, gain and phase margin, etc) with particular application to aerospace systems
• Demonstrated ability to pivot quickly between different tasks in a fast-paced development environment
• Ability to quickly pick up and adapt to diverse simulation environments and data formats, and including adaptability to different workflows
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in teams and communicate technical results with excellent communication and presentation skills

Desired Qualifications

• An active TS/SCI clearance
• Familiarity with signal processing
• Experience in research and development of precision pointing systems
• Development of behavioral models that capture the behavior of complex electromechanical systems in a well-documented and modifiable manner
• Ability to adapt high-fidelity research models to lower-fidelity flight system "surrogate" models for use in larger, integrated system simulations
• Experience with high bandwidth mechatronics and dynamics
• Experience working with external vendors and hardware suppliers undefined

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

For further benefits information

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training. The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California. $118,248 - $144,144

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law. In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. EEO is the Law. EEO is the Law Supplement Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.

Formed in 1936, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech.) JPL joined NASA as an FFRDC when the agency was founded in 1958. JPL helped open the Space Age by developing America’s first Earth-orbiting science satellite, creating the first successful interplanetary spacecraft, and sending robotic missions to the solar system. Today JPL continues its world-leading innovation, implementing programs in planetary exploration, Earth science, space-based astronomy and technology development while applying its capabilities to technical and scientific problems of national significance. Above all, we are explorers. At JPL we promote collaboration, innovation, integrity, and excellence in distinct academic areas. We turn ideas for science investigation into the reality of groundbreaking space missions, partnering with our strategic business teams to guide JPL into the future.