Sr Guidance, Navigation & Controls Engineer

Pace Industries, LLC; United States; Remote; USD 142,000 - 196,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

Dental plan

Vision plan

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

Life insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Sierra Space is seeking a Sr GNC Engineer to lead the design, development and verification of spacecraft GNC systems. The role demands deep experience in GNC algorithms, sensor/actuator selection and system integration.

You will architect integrated GNC designs, plan IMS tasks, support proposals and SOWs, and perform HITL tests to verify performance across subsystems. This senior role offers opportunities to advance technical excellence in aerospace technology and collaborate across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• 8+ years of experience in GNC algorithm design and spacecraft development.
• Familiarity with LIDAR, vision, GPS/RGPS and autonomous navigation techniques.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement advanced GNC algorithms for spacecraft.
• Lead end-to-end GNC design, IMS tasking and SOW support.
• Interface sensors with onboard avionics and perform HITL testing.

Skills

GNC algorithm design

Subsystem integration

Spacecraft development

Autonomous navigation

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace/mechanical/electrical engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

STK

JIRA

Confluence

MS Project

Job description

Sierra Space Careers: At Sierra Space, we build the missions and systems that keep our world secure in the domain above Earth. Sierra Space team members share a spirit of innovation and collaboration and a belief that we can deliver on the boldest missions in space today. Together with our customers, we aim to safeguard our nation, sustain human presence in space, and secure the freedom of operations in low Earth orbit and beyond. Our success is measured by the trust of those who rely on what we build and deliver, and our technologies keep the United States and its allies mission-ready throughout space. We are mission-driven, and together, we are an extraordinary team.

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. This role offers the opportunity to drive innovation and technical excellence in aerospace technology.

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

Our mission is driven by an unyielding commitment to advancing space-based technology in service of our customers and safeguarding national security. We seek individuals who are passionate about innovating beyond boundaries and relentlessly pursuing solutions that protect, preserve and empower – to join us in this critical mission. 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

• Pay Range: $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 is an industry-leading space and defense technology company providing satellites, spacecraft, and enabling mission systems and components. We deliver mission-proven technologies to our customers that safeguard our nation, protect space-based assets and enable space exploration.

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.

About Sierra Space

Headquartered in Colorado, Sierra Space is a mission-proven Defense Tech company delivering satellite platforms, critical subsystems, reusable spaceplanes, hypersonic technologies, propulsion systems, and infrastructure for the nation’s most critical missions. With more than three decades of heritage and a record of flight-proven success in space, Sierra Space is trusted by U.S. National Security, Civil customers, and global allies. Our technologies safeguard our nation, sustain human exploration in space, and ensure the freedom of operations beyond Earth. Sierra Space is defining the new era of Space Defense, strengthening deterrence today and preserving freedom of action for generations to come.