Sr Guidance, Navigation & Controls Engineer

Sierra Space; Idaho; On-site; USD 142,424 - 195,851; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with 150% match up to 6%

Life insurance

3 weeks paid time off

Medical, dental, and vision plans

Job summary

Sierra Space is looking for a Sr Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer to lead the design and development of GNC systems for spacecraft applications. This senior role requires significant experience in GNC algorithm design and subsystem integration.

The candidate will be responsible for architecting integrated GNC designs, implementing control algorithms, and conducting verification tests. A strong foundation in aerospace engineering principles and proficiency in tools like STK and JIRA are essential.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in GNC algorithm design and spacecraft development.
• Familiarity with advanced guidance and control algorithms.
• Capacity to develop complex GNC mode managers for subsystem-level control.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and verification of GNC systems for spacecraft.
• Implement guidance and control algorithms using various techniques.
• Conduct integration tests to verify GNC subsystem performance.

Skills

GNC algorithm design

Subsystem integration

Leadership

Team collaboration

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

STK

JIRA

Confluence

MS Project

Job description

About the Role

Sierra Space is seeking a Sr Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer to lead the design, development, and verification of advanced GNC systems for spacecraft applications. This senior‑level role requires extensive experience in GNC algorithm design, sensor and actuator selection, and system‑level integration. The selected candidate will be responsible for architecting integrated GNC designs, creating detailed plans for program execution, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure performance across spacecraft subsystems.

In this role, you will design and implement advanced guidance and control algorithms, including optimal control and autonomous navigation techniques using LIDAR, vision, GPS, and RGPS systems. You will lead the end‑to‑end design and development of GNC algorithms, architect integrated subsystem designs, and quantify performance impacts. Additionally, you will develop Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) tasking, long‑term plans, and Gantt charts for program execution, supporting internal and external proposals and Statements of Work (SOWs). You will perform sensor and actuator selection and sizing based on program requirements, leveraging and developing relevant design tools. Furthermore, you will assist in Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) by conducting HITL unit and integrated testing to verify GNC subsystem performance. You will set up integrated closed‑loop dynamic models and GNC simulations, perform MIMO linearization, and analyze complex closed‑loop data interactions. Moreover, you will decompose high‑level requirements into low‑level GNC subsystem requirements, translating them into sensor and actuator sizing and selection. Finally, you will interface sensors with onboard avionics by addressing physical compute limitations, defining interfaces, and developing target timing requirements.

About You

We're looking for team members who align with our values, mission and goals - while also meeting the minimum qualifications below. The preferred qualifications are a bonus, not a requirement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree). Master's degree is preferred for candidates with 6+ years of related experience.

• 8+ years of experience in GNC algorithm design, subsystem integration, and spacecraft development.

• Familiarity with advanced guidance and control algorithms, including optimal control and autonomous navigation using LIDAR, vision, GPS, and RGPS techniques.

• Experience with leading the development of complex GNC mode managers for subsystem‑level control across spacecraft flight phases.

• Proficiency in STK, JIRA, Confluence, and MS Project.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience setting up integrated closed‑loop dynamic models, performing MIMO linearization, and analyzing closed‑loop data interactions.

• Expertise in integrated GNC design.

• Knowledge of spacecraft subsystems, including power, thermal, communication, and structural dynamics, with the ability to perform system‑level trades.

• Perform system‑level trades across power, thermal, communication, and structures to optimize subsystem performance and compliance with requirements.

• Familiarity with sensor interfacing to onboard avionics, understanding physical compute limitations, developing interface definitions, and target timing requirements.

• Utilize advanced tools such as STK (Level 2 Certification), JIRA, Confluence, and MS Project to manage tasks and track progress.

• Effective leadership and mentoring skills, with the ability to guide junior engineers and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.

Compensation

$142,424.00 - $195,851.75

Your actual base compensation will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on job‑related knowledge and skills, education, experience, internal equity and market competitiveness.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

To conform to U.S. Government international trade regulations, applicant must be a U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce.

Elevate Your Career

At Sierra Space, we are committed to your personal and professional development. We empower you to make profound and meaningful contributions and foster a vibrant culture of collaboration, where teamwork ignites breakthrough innovations.

We also offer a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, and more.

Sierra Space Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need special assistance or a reasonable accommodation related to applying for employment with Sierra Space or at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us.