Guidance and Control Hardware Engineer III

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Retirement plans

Flexible schedule

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) seeks a Guidance and Control Engineer to lead the development, integration and flight qualification of GN&C sensor systems. You will explore new sensor technologies, secure funding for development, and direct efforts to infuse advances into future missions.

You will work within JPL’s GN&C Sensors, Actuators, Payloads, and Field Test Group, collaborating across disciplines to support deep-space, Earth-orbiting, and astrophysics missions and to advance

Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Physics, CS, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering with 6+ years, Master’s with 4+, or PhD with 2+ years.
• Knowledge in GN&C sensor areas: inertial/optical sensors and related tech.
• Experience leading hands-on hardware development or complex hardware test beds.
• Experience leading field testing of prototype hardware in relevant environments.

Responsibilities

• Procure or design, develop, integrate and qualify sensor systems for flight missions (inertial/optical GN&C sensors).
• Propose and develop new sensor technologies for onboard GN&C systems; secure funding for technology development; lead infusion into future flight projects.

Skills

GN&C sensor knowledge

Hardware development

Field testing

Leadership

Embedded electronics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Physics, Computer Science, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree in a technical discipline

PhD in a technical discipline

Tools

FPGAs

Embedded electronics

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.

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 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.

As a Guidance and Control Engineer in the Guidance, Navigation and Control (GN&C) Sensors, Actuators, Payloads, and Field Test Group, you will be working for JPL’s Guidance and Control Section. We do system engineering, design and analysis, hardware development, procurement, testing, and operations support in G&C areas for unique deep-space/earth-orbiting/astrophysics missions. We also do world class research and technology development in autonomous guidance, navigation and control systems including pin-point and safe landing, space rendezvous, formation flying, and precision pointing, among others.

Responsibilities

The Guidance and Control Engineer is responsible for the procurement or design, development, integration and flight qualification of sensor systems for flight missions (including inertial and optical based GN&C sensors). In this role, you will also independently propose and develop new sensor technologies for on-board spacecraft GN&C systems, secure funding for technology development and lead effort to develop technology for infusion into future flight projects.

Qualifications Required

• This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Physics, Computer Science, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline with a minimum of 6 years of related experience, a Master’s degree in a technical discipline with a minimum of 4 years of related experience, or a PhD in a technical discipline with a minimum of 2 years
• Knowledge in one or more of the following GN&C sensor areas: inertial sensors or optical sensors, such as lidars, star trackers, sun sensors, formation flying sensors, pin point and safe landing sensors, space rendezvous sensors, precision pointing sensors etc.
• Experience leading hands‑on hardware development or complex hardware test beds to characterize functionality and performance
• Experience leading field testing of prototype hardware in relevant environments, such as dynamic test beds, aerial vehicles, rovers, etc.

Preferred experience and skills include

• Knowledge of applicable industry and/or academic practices and standards in spacecraft guidance navigation and control and spacecraft sensor systems
• Experience and proven track record developing new technology for GN&C sensors
• Experience with contract technical management
• Proven ability to acquire new funding for technology development
• Advanced knowledge of applicable Laboratory policies and procedures, NASA policies and procedures, and government regulations
• Experience with development of integrated GN&C hardware and software systems.
• Experience with flight qualification of spacecraft sensor systems
• Familiarity with FPGAs and embedded electronics
• Familiarity with Generative AI and agentic workflows for engineering applications
• Demonstrated team leadership and task management skills.
• GN&C hands‑on experience.

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.

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.

$145,808 - $182,728

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.