Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) Engineer

Astrion; Florida; On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) Engineer to provide support for NASA's deep space logistics missions. This full-time position requires a strong engineering background, experience in algorithm development for spacecraft trajectory, and excellent communication skills. The successful candidate will work collaboratively to fulfill GN&C requirements and support critical NASA operations at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and ready to pass a government background check.

Qualifications

• 14 years of related engineering experience with B.S. or 10 years with M.S.
• Experience developing GN&C algorithms and validating simulation software.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Review system architecture and design for GN&C requirements.
• Perform independent modeling and simulation tool development.
• Provide recommendations to improve system architectures based on findings.

Skills

Experience with orbital dynamics modeling

Development of GN&C algorithms

Knowledge of navigation sensors

Excellent communication skills

Teamwork in diverse environments

Education

B.S. degree in engineering or related discipline

M.S. degree in engineering or related discipline

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C++

FreeFlyer

STK

Job description

Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) Engineer

Astrion is seeking a Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer for the Deep Space Logistics Engineering Support (LENS) Contract. Under LENS, our employees provide engineering support to NASA to review and assess activities of the Gateway Logistics Services (GLS) IDIQ Contract Commercial Service Provider. This effort may include review and assessment of the requirements, design, analysis, testing, manufacturing, verification, validation, assembly, integration, checkout, mission preparations and operations required to deliver cargo and payloads to the lunar Gateway, or for other DSL mission projects and interests. This position is full-time and on site at Kennedy Space Center, FL.

Required Qualifications / Skills

• B.S. degree in engineering or related discipline from an accredited engineering school and fourteen (14) years of related engineering experience or an M.S. degree in engineering or a related discipline from an accredited engineering school and ten (10) years of related engineering experience.
• Experience with one or more of the following: FreeFlyer, STK, Copernicus or other orbital dynamics modeling and simulation software for spacecraft trajectory.
• Experience developing GN&C algorithms (e.g., 6-DOF) and implementing them into proof‑of‑concept and validate simulation software using MATLAB, python, and C++.
• Experience with the development of space systems requirements documents including functional requirements and verification success criteria.
• Experience with design, assembly, verification, testing, and operation of spacecraft guidance, navigation and control systems and sensors.
• Knowledge of navigation sensors for operating in the space environment.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and successfully complete a U.S. government background investigation.
• Ability to work in a team environment consisting of NASA civil servants and various contractor employees.
• Highly organized and self‑motivated.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to coordinate support from a wide range of technical disciplines.

Desired Qualifications / Skills

• M.S. Degree in a related discipline and 10 years of experience.
• Experience with deep space NASA missions.
• Experience with spacecraft flexible body and propellant slosh in low‑g environments.
• Strong proficiency with FreeFlyer, STK and/or Copernicus, MATLAB, and Python
• Strong proficiency in C++ and experience with NASA code POST2.
• Experience with the non‑GPS enabled GN&C systems and sensor and navigation methodologies.
• Familiarity with NASA organizations, processes, and procedures including NASA System Engineering Standards such as the NASA System Engineering Handbook (NASA/SP-6105), NASA Procedural Requirements (NPR 7123), and NASA Space Flight Program and Project Management Handbook (NPR 7120).
• Experience working with NASA launch services providers.
• Experience with NASA deep space mission systems engineering including coordinating system requirements verification and validation between multiple organizations and centers.
• Experience with human rated space flight.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will support the following tasks and activities:

The Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C Engineer) provides support on behalf of our customers to determine, negotiate and implement mission‑enabling GN&C requirements for the GLS systems and associated hardware. Additionally, this position will perform independent modeling and simulation tool development and analysis to support independent verification and validation (IV&V) of requirements and work closely with the mission design team.

As a GN&C Engineer you will:

• Review system architecture, hardware requirements, designs, assembly procedures, test plans, procedures, and data in support of the Deep Space Logistic GN&C and occasionally Mission Design to ensure approaches are sound, component selection is appropriate for the intended usage, and suitable for the proposed application.
• Provide recommendations for improvements to system architectures, hardware requirements, designs, test plans, and procedures if disparities/deficiencies are identified.
• Ensure NASA requirements are satisfied by design solutions and support production/control board meetings, design, and system reviews.
• Track GN&C specific requirements verification and validation progress.
• Perform computer-based analysis in support of GN&C applications for independent verification and validation (IV&V) of requirements, according to modeling and simulation best practices and following NASA standards. Including, but not limited to:
  • Trajectory and attitude of the spacecraft
  • 6-DOF motion simulations using in-house and NASA tools
  • RPOD analysis to determine feasibility of mission operations concepts
  • Navigation analysis without GPS for deep space spacecraft rendezvous
• Provide engineering insight in support of the DSL Logistic Modules providers for their GN&C system designs in relation to Avionics, Mission Design, Flight Software, and other systems.
• Evaluate various options, utilizing matrix organization support as necessary, to offer best technical guidance about various trade‑offs (technical, schedule, risk, etc.)
• Work in a team environment and report to senior NASA personnel to provide status on providers development progress and issues.
• Travel as required in support of technical reviews and exchanges.
• Select and apply engineering techniques and procedures to analyze and evaluate specific problems, data, or other features of the work which are broad in scope and complexity.
• Provide recommendations for program acceptance of requirements verification, testing, risks and hazards.