Navigation Engineer SME – NASA Lunar Navigation Systems

Go Fractional; Lanham (MD); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

401k Safe Harbor Plan

Parental leave

Tuition Assistance

Wellness plans

Mental Health Therapy

Job summary

a.i. solutions is seeking a highly motivated Navigation SME Engineer to support NASA's return to the Moon. This temporary role extends until 10/16/2026 and offers remote work with the MD - Lanham, MD area.

You will lead spacecraft navigation analyses and mentor teammates to shape navigation solutions for lunar task orders on the FDSS III contract. Ideal candidates hold a bachelor's degree, 10+ years in navigation analysis, Python and MATLAB proficiency, and strong communication with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, CS, physics or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in navigation analysis and simulation.
• Experience with satellite navigation systems and processing techniques.
• Proficiency in Python and MATLAB.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership in spacecraft navigation systems and mission design.
• Collaborate with team and adapt tools used for the mission.
• Perform analysis and simulation of novel navigation techniques.
• Prepare technical presentations and documentation.
• Communicate work to peers and customers through forums and publications.
• Manage communications between customer, team, and management.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

Navigation analysis

Simulations

Self-motivation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/CS/Physics

Master's degree in aerospace engineering/physics

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Bitbucket

FreeFlyer

GMAT

ODTK

Job description

Description

Are you interested in supporting NASA's return to the Moon? Do you want to help verify the systems that astronauts will use on the Lunar surface to navigate and communicate? At a.i. solutions, we are developing innovative technologies and systems to assist in humanity's journey beyond Earth. a.i. solutions is seeking a highly motivated Navigation Subject Matter Expert (SME) Engineer to join our team to shape, manage, and implement the technical aspects of spacecraft navigation support for lunar task orders on the Flight Dynamics Support Services (FDSS) III contract. You will have the opportunity to work closely with other subject matter experts in the areas of navigation simulation and analysis. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to propose innovative ideas that improve the team's effectiveness and efficiency. To be the successful candidate, you will need to demonstrate the ability to embrace the a.i. solutions mission and work to continually exceed the expectations of our customers. This TEMPORARY role will extend until 10/16/2026.

Essential Roles & Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership in the areas of spacecraft navigation systems, mission design and analysis
• Partner with existing team members and become fluent in the tools of choice for the mission.
• Perform analysis and simulation of novel navigation techniques to achieve future mission and systems requirements.
• Prepare technical presentations and documentation of your work.
• Document and communicate your work to peers and customers through informal forums as well as potentially in conference and journal publications.
• Manage effective communications between customer, team, peers, and senior management
• Develop relationships with the customer and team members to ensure delivery of our corporate promise.
• Promote corporate culture and foster an environment of collaboration and innovation within the team

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering, computer science, physics, or related discipline
• 10+ years of experience in:
• Performing analysis and simulation of navigation techniques to achieve future mission and systems requirements.
• Satellite navigation systems, measurements, and processing techniques
• Proficiency in Python
• Proficiency in MATLAB
• Strong written and verbal communication to effectively communicate with missions, team members and management at the appropriate technical level.
• Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated and able to work both independently and in a team environment
• Obtain successful completion of a government background check
• U.S. citizenship

Desired Background

• Master's degree in aerospace engineering, physics, or a related field
• Experience with Flight Software (FSW) development
• Systems engineering including requirements development and verification
• Proficiency in C programming language
• Leading and implementing software development projects in a related field.
• Experience with FreeFlyer, GMAT, ODTK, or other mission design and analysis tools
• Experience using Jira, Confluence, and Bitbucket or similar productivity/organization tools
• Ability to quickly connect in-person and in writing, and to actively listen and perceive the needs, values or opinions of others
• Proactivity in identifying and addressing challenges to include innovations that result in positive organizational impact
• Demonstrated leadership accomplishments professionally and personally
• Spacecraft flight dynamics experience/knowledge
• Experience managing multiple projects concurrently

Compensation & Work Arrangement

• Remote
• Full-Time (Temporary until 10/16/2026)
• Location: MD - a.i. office, 4500 Forbes Blvd., Suite 300, Lanham, MD 20706, USA
• Salary ranges from $165,000 to $190,000 depending on relevant experience and qualifications.
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• 401k Safe Harbor Plan, we contribute on Day #1
• Paid Parental leave for Mom & Dad
• Company Paid Life/AD&D
• Tuition Assistance
• Wellness plans that reward wellbeing & work life harmony
• Free Mental Health Therapy