Navigation Engineer III

Red Canyon Engineering & Software; Westminster (MD); On-site; USD 116,000 - 148,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus

Quarterly performance bonuses

Health insurance

401K plan upon eligibility

Relocation assistance

Fully stocked breakroom

Job summary

Red Canyon Engineering & Software in Westminster, CO seeks a Navigation Engineer III to advance spacecraft navigation algorithms and analyses across multiple programs, including CAPSTONE and Oracle. You will develop navigation software, tune estimators, and work with a multidisciplinary team. The role is on-site in Westminster, CO, and requires U.S.

work eligibility. You will contribute to IRAD/BD efforts, communicate results to mission teams, and support navigation requirements and planning

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s level degree in a relevant field.
• Hands-on experience applying Kalman filters or state estimation techniques.
• Proficiency with major navigation/astrodynamics tools.
• Working knowledge of tracking measurements (range, Doppler, angles, GPS, optical).
• Ability to automate navigation analyses with Python/MATLAB.

Responsibilities

• Perform spacecraft navigation analyses including orbit determination and trajectory reconstruction.
• Configure, tune, and validate Kalman filters and estimators.
• Set up and run navigation toolchains (MONTE, FreeFlyer, ODTK, GMAT).
• Support navigation operations and routine OD updates.
• Communicate navigation results to customers and mission teams.
• Support navigation requirements and task identification and planning.
• Contribute to IRAD and BD efforts.

Skills

Kalman filters

Python

MATLAB

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

MONTE

FreeFlyer

ODTK

GMAT

STK

Job description

We are seeking a Navigation Engineer III to join a team that is leading humanity back to the Moon and pioneering innovative solutions in the space industry. Based in Westminster, Colorado, this incredible team is looking for a Spacecraft Navigation Engineer who's eager to push the state of the art in the aerospace industry.

This position is responsible for development of navigation algorithms, supporting a technically diverse team, and conducting detailed analyses related to spacecraft navigation. The ideal candidate will have experience in developing spacecraft navigation software, evaluating new estimation formulations, and improving legacy approaches to spacecraft navigation. This role will support multiple projects and programs. Our exciting flight programs include CAPSTONE, an ARTEMIS pathfinder spacecraft operating in a Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO) at Earth-Moon L2, and Oracle, an Air Force Research Lab mission for space situational awareness at the Moon.

This position will be headquartered at our customer’s Westminster, Colorado offices and is primarily an on-premises role. The Spacecraft Navigation Engineer will work closely with a multidisciplinary engineering team focused on spacecraft navigation, mission design, and technology development.

This position is open to U.S. Persons only (U.S. citizens, or lawful permanent residents), as required by applicable laws and regulations.

We do not provide visa sponsorship or support work authorization for this role. Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Responsibilities:

• Perform spacecraft navigation analyses, including orbit determination, trajectory reconstruction, and covariance assessment.
• Configure, tune, and validate Kalman filters and other estimators for radiometric, optical, and GPS navigation.
• Set up and run navigation toolchains (e.g., MONTE, FreeFlyer, ODTK, GMAT), including force and measurement models.
• Support navigation operations, including console activities, routine OD updates, and procedure refinement.
• Communicate navigation results and recommendations to customer and mission teams.
• Support navigation requirement and task identification and work planning.
• Contribute to IRAD and BD efforts

Required Qualifications:

• 5-8 years of professional experience in spacecraft navigation, orbit determination, or related astrodynamics roles.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or related field.
• Hands-on experience applying Kalman filters or related state estimation techniques, including basic tuning and troubleshooting.
• Proficiency with at least one major navigation/astrodynamics tool (e.g., MONTE, FreeFlyer, ODTK, GMAT, STK).
• Working knowledge of tracking measurements (range, Doppler, angles, GPS, optical) and their impact on accuracy and observability.
• Ability to use Python, MATLAB, or similar tools to automate navigation analyses and data processing.
• Strong analytical and communication skills for presenting navigation findings to diverse stakeholders.
• U.S. Person (U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident), able to work on-site in Westminster, CO.

Desired:

• Experience leading spacecraft flight operations (OD updates, trajectory monitoring, maneuver planning).
• Experience as lead or supporting navigation engineer during the development phase of a flight program.
• Familiarity with cislunar or three-body orbit regimes (e.g., NRHOs, Lagrange orbits) and associated navigation strategies.
• Experience using MONTE for OD, covariance analysis, and measurement/force model configuration.
• Understanding of timing and clock errors, error sources, and tracking network constraints on navigation performance.
• Experience contributing to navigation-related proposals or IRAD (e.g., technical sections, estimates, prototype estimators).
• Active or prior security clearance a plus.

$115,500 - $148,400 a year

• Base Salary Range - $115,500 - $148,400 based on role, employee experience, and location
• Signing bonus
• Quarterly Performance bonuses
• Company provided health insurance and 401K plan upon eligibility
• Fully stocked breakroom with free snacks, drinks, and grab-and-go options
• Relocation Assistance