Guidance and Control Hardware Engineer III

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 146,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health

Dental

Vision

Wellbeing

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Learning

Rideshare

Childcare

Flexible schedule

Parental leave

Many more

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California invites a Guidance and Control Engineer to join our spaceflight‑oriented team. You will help procure, design, develop and qualify GN&C sensor systems for missions, from inertial sensors to optical trackers.

The role emphasizes hands‑on hardware development, field testing in environments such as dynamic test beds and aerial platforms, and leadership of cross‑functional teams to infuse new sensor technologies into future missions.

Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor's in aerospace, physics, CS, mechanical or electrical engineering with 6+ years experience.
• Master's with 4+ years or PhD with 2+ years acceptable.
• Knowledge of GN&C sensor areas: inertial or optical sensors.

Responsibilities

• Design, integrate and qualify GN&C sensor systems for flight missions.
• Propose and develop new sensor technologies for on-board GN&C.
• Lead hardware development and field testing in relevant environments.

Skills

GN&C sensor systems

Hardware development

Field testing

Team leadership

FPGA / embedded electronics

Funding acquisition

Generative AI awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline (Aero/Phys/CS/EE/Mech)

Master’s degree (technical)

PhD (technical)

Tools

FPGAs

Embedded electronics

Sensor testbeds

Job description

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.

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.

Benefits and Perks

• health
• dental
• vision
• wellbeing
• retirement plans
• paid time off
• learning
• rideshare
• childcare
• flexible schedule
• parental leave
• many more

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.

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.