Guidance, Navigation, & Control Systems Test Engineer

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 120,416 - 178,627; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, retirement plans

Relocation assistance

Tuition assistance for you and depend­

Transit ECO Pass

Job summary

LASP at the University of Colorado Boulder is seeking a Guidance, Navigation, & Control (GNC) Systems Test Engineer to lead the GNC test program from hardware integration through LEOP for a deep-space mission launching in 2028.

Onsite work is required in Boulder, CO. You will collaborate with GNC engineers, QA, and operations, develop test procedures and scripts, and ensure flight hardware safety during tests and demonstrations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in physical science or engineering.
• ≥5 years directly relevant work experience with a bachelor's; ≥3 years with a master's; any years with a PhD
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Export-control/compliance: EAR/ITAR; US citizenship or protected status may be required.

Responsibilities

• Own and implement the GNC test program from hardware integration through LEOP.
• Manage Assembly, Integration, and Test operations on the GNC subsystem.
• Develop test procedures and test scripts for GNC tests, LPT, CPT, and spaceflight tests.
• Lead anomaly resolution and collaborate with QA to prevent hardware damage.

Skills

Scripting languages

Team player

Verbal and written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in physical science or engineering

Tools

Basilisk

Open C3 Cosmos

CSTOL scripting

Python

Job description

Job Summary

LASP is looking for a Guidance, Navigation, & Control (GNC) Systems Test Engineer to join the spacecraft team for a deep space mission that will tour the inner solar system and explore the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Launch is expected in early 2028.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

Founded a decade before NASA, the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado Boulder is revolutionizing human understanding of the cosmos. LASP is deeply committed to inspiring and educating the next generation of space explorers. From enabling the first exploratory rocket measurements of Earth's upper atmosphere to trailblazing observations of every planet in the solar system, LASP is at the forefront of solar, planetary and space physics research, space‑weather monitoring, and the search for evidence of habitable worlds.

LASP advances scientific discovery and inspires the next generation through research, innovation, and education in space sciences. We employ over 700 scientists, engineers, support personnel, and students that work closely to cultivate creative ideas and explore novel solutions to make the impossible possible.

LASP is dedicated to building and maintaining a unique synergism of expertise in space science, engineering, and spacecraft operations. Through research projects, LASP participates actively in the training of the future leaders of space research and helps the University of Colorado to educate students with valued technical and scientific skills. Development and use of innovative technologies and continuing participation in new research initiatives ensures a strong leadership role for LASP into the future. LASP is proud of our work environment that supports employee creativity and productivity and offers opportunities for a broad range of experiences. Further information about LASP can be found here: https://lasp.colorado.edu/home/.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Responsible for overall ownership and implementation of the GNC test program from hardware integration through launch and early operations (LEOP).
• Responsible for Assembly, Integration, and Test operations on the GNC subsystem, including all sensors, actuators, and any instruments used to support navigation and guidance.
• Responsible for development of test procedures and test scripts for the GNC subsystem tests, Limited Performance Test (LPT), GNC Comprehensive Performance Test (CPT), and Spacecraft Phasing Test, open and closed loop simulations, and any required special tests.
• Working closely with GNC Cognizant Engineers to design test procedures and test sequences.
• Serving as the single point of contact for the personnel directly involved during GNC test execution.
• Responsible for the safety and well-being of all personnel and flight hardware associated with GNC testing.
• Working closely with Quality Assurance personnel to watch for test failures, hardware damage or dangerous conditions.
• Leading any anomaly resolution troubleshooting steps.
• Contributing to mission scenario testing and fault testing.
• Contributing to LEOP preparedness and flight GNC operations.
• Other duties as assigned.

What You Should Know

• Programs will require compliance with export control restrictions, including EAR and ITAR.
• Onsite presence is required because of the hands‑on laboratory work necessary.

What We Can Offer

• $120,416.00 - $178,627.00 per year.
• Relocation assistance may be available.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and retirement plans;
• Generous paid time off;
• Tuition assistance for you and your dependents;
• An ECO Pass for local transit.

As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world‑class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Bachelor's degree in a physical science, engineering, a related field.
  • ≥ 5 years of directly relevant work experience with a bachelor's degree; ≥ 3 years with a master's degree; any years with a PhD
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task and handle competing priorities.
• Due to requirements to access export‑controlled data and information, only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green-card holders), or other protected individuals (i.e., persons designated as an asylee, refugee, or temporary resident under amnesty provisions) may apply.

What You Will Need

• Experience with scripting languages.
• Experience using simulation environments such as Basilisk.
• Team player, willing to contribute where needed to get the job done.
• Limited international travel (up to one trip per year) may be required.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Years of experience should include direct experience in GNC testing with participation in the full mission life cycle, including design, integration & test, and LEOP.
• Hardware test experience should include reaction wheels, star trackers, coarse sun sensors, propulsion systems, and solar array drives.
• Test experience should include phasing testing, fault testing, and mission scenario testing.
• Cleanroom and ESD experience.
• On-orbit Spacecraft operations.
• Understanding of Spacecraft fault protection and Safe Mode operations.
• Experience with Open C3 Cosmos, CSTOL scripting, Python programming.