Sr Guidance, Navigation & Controls Engineer Verified today
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. You will design and implement advanced guidance and control algorithms, including optimal control and autonomous navigation techniques using LIDAR, vision, GPS, and RGPS systems.
Your responsibilities include:
- Lead end-to-end design and development of GNC algorithms and architect integrated subsystem designs
- Quantify performance impacts across spacecraft subsystems
- Develop Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) tasking, long-term plans, and Gantt charts for program execution
- Support internal and external proposals and Statements of Work (SOWs)
- Perform sensor and actuator selection and sizing based on program requirements
- Develop and leverage relevant design tools
- Conduct HITL unit and integrated testing to verify GNC subsystem performance during Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T)
- Set up integrated closed-loop dynamic models and GNC simulations
- Perform MIMO linearization and analyze complex closed-loop data interactions
- Decompose high-level requirements into low-level GNC subsystem requirements
- Interface sensors with onboard avionics, addressing physical compute limitations and defining interfaces
About You
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or related technical field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree)
- 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 leading development of complex GNC mode managers for subsystem-level control across spacecraft flight phases
- Proficiency in STK, JIRA, Confluence, and MS Project
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's degree (preferred for candidates with 6+ years of related experience)
- Experience setting up integrated closed-loop dynamic models and performing MIMO linearization
- Expertise in integrated GNC design
- Knowledge of spacecraft subsystems including power, thermal, communication, and structural dynamics
- Ability to perform system-level trades to optimize subsystem performance
- Familiarity with sensor interfacing to onboard avionics and understanding of physical compute limitations
- STK Level 2 Certification
- Effective leadership and mentoring skills 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.
Benefits include medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, and 3 weeks paid time off.
Requirements
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.