Guidance and Control Systems Engineer II

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 118,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision plans

Flexible schedule

Paid time off

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, seeks a Guidance and Control System Engineer to join the G&C Operations team for the Europa Clipper project, developing and operating GN&C systems for deep-space missions.

You will analyze, simulate, and test spacecraft commanding; collaborate with spacecraft engineers and science teams; contribute to verification plans and automated tools to enhance GNC capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with minimum 3 years related experience, or Master’s with 1 year, or PhD.
• Technical background in modern guidance, estimation and control for aerospace systems.
• Ability to translate problems into executable plans with minimal oversight.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, verbal and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, and operate GN&C systems for Europa Clipper project.
• Develop and verify test and verification plans for subsystems.
• Collaborate with spacecraft engineers and science teams to resolve cross-discipline problems.
• Develop tools and automations to enhance GNC robustness and capabilities.

Skills

Guidance & control

System thinking

Analytical mindset

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Aerospace or Computer Engineering

Master’s degree in a technical discipline

PhD in a technical discipline

Job description

Job DetailsNew 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 engages in research, technology development, and the creation of advanced mechanical, robotics, guidance & control, thermal, propulsion, and electronic packaging systems.

As a Guidance and Control System Engineer in the Guidance, and Control Systems Engineering 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

In this position, you will be part of the G&C Operations team for the Europa Clipper project, responsible for analyzing, and operating a highly advanced Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) systems. You will be part of the team that develops and operates these systems, as well as coordinate the efforts to validate and document the performance of these systems prior to delivering them to the customers.

Other responsibilities include:

• Develop, assess, and test spacecraft commanding for G&C spacecraft needs and in support of science objectives
• Analyzing, simulating, and assessing complex performance at the G&C subsystem level.
• Work with other spacecraft engineers and science team members to provide solutions to cross discipline problems
• Developing and implementing detailed test and verification plans and procedures for the subsystem.
• Facilitating the work of specialist engineers to develop integrated concepts.
• Developing tools and automations to increase robustness and capabilities of the GNC team.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering or related technical discipline with a minimum of 3 year of related experience, a Master’s degree in a technical discipline with a minimum of 1-year related experience, or a PhD in a technical discipline.
• A technical background in the areas of modern guidance, estimation and control with application to aerospace systems
• Ability to translate problems into concrete, executable plans, and to drive them to completion with minimal oversight.
• A proven team player and effective leader with excellent communication, interpersonal, verbal and presentation skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in research and development of advanced GNC systems for deep space exploration applications
• Knowledge of applicable industry and/or academic practices and standards in precision optical sensor pointing, spacecraft instrument disturbance rejection, instrument pointing systems, guidance navigation and control systems for entry.
• Understanding of principles, theories, concepts and techniques in high precision pointing systems
• Experience designing, analyzing, implementing, calibrating, verifying, and simulating complex and advanced GN&C on-orbit or deep space systems.

• 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.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

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.

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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.