Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer, Project Engineer/ Senior Project Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.

Job Summary

The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly-trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; orbital mechanics; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments. 

The ideal candidate will be hired into VSD/Engineering and Technology Group (ETG). You will primarily support the Civil Systems Group (CSG) Program Office to work with NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) Engineering Directorate’s Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics Division. CSG supports our NASA customer in all aspects of human space flight.

We are looking for a Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer (Project Engineer/Senior Project Engineer- Technical Project Management). In this role you will support the NASA Johnson Space Center Engineering Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics Division (AFMD) as a Surface System Navigation Expert. The AFMD provides technical leadership in the engineering disciplines of aerodynamics and aerothermodynamics; guidance, navigation, and control flight performance; mission design; and autonomous systems. The division provides engineering design, development, testing, and evaluation for all phases of space flight (ascent, entry, orbit, and interplanetary) and for all types of human spacecraft.  

Work Model 

This is a full-time position based at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, TX. This position will require a minimum of (3-4) days in-office per week, with hybrid options based on business needs and customer deadlines.

What You’ll Be Doing  

• Collaborate with other team members to develop improved or novel navigation requirements for NASA Programs 

• Assist with system-level integration of GNC subsystem into ConOps and mission planning 

• Utilize current software tools to perform analyses related to constellation design, target RSO observability and tracking, and space mission design Concept-of-Operations (CONOPs) 

• Support on mission planning and ConOps development for operations such as RPO, inspection, and dynamic resident space object detection, cataloging, and characterization 

• Management of GNC datasets and ephemera, integration of space system sensing modalities into mission operations 

• Develop multi-modality state estimation filters for relative navigation and orbit determination 

• Ability to work effectively within a loosely-structured, dynamic, fast-paced start-up environment 

• Regularly present complex technical findings, project developments, and innovations to a diverse range of stakeholders 

• Perform evaluation of operational needs and verification of mission plans 

• Serve as a highly proactive technical specialist while working closely across various engineering disciplines and teams  

What You Need to be Successful  

Minimum Requirements for the Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer (Project Engineer- Technical Project Management)

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field is required

• 6+ years of experience focused on autonomous systems, orbit estimation and/or machine learning is required

• Flight program experience is required

• Experience developing and designing validation/verification tools for high-fidelity astrodynamics/GNC simulation and analysis software (both for ground-support and flight systems) 

• Support and/or oversee contractor lifecycle development of EDL systems, encompassing initial conceptualization, system design, verification testing, and successful mission implementation  

• Practical knowledge of cislunar orbit modeling techniques 

• Experience with spacecraft rendezvous, proximity operations, and capture/docking 

• Spacecraft flight software development experience  

• Working knowledge of NASA standard practices and requirements, flight operations and procedures 

• Exceptional interpersonal, presentation, and communications skills, including development of and briefing of decision packages and complex information in a succinct and polished manner   

• Ability to work within a diverse team environment and many engineering disciplines, where the team is distributed across multiple NASA and Aerospace Corporation organizations, projects, and programs  

• Willing to travel occasionally to work location (domestically) approx. (4-6 times) per year  

• This position may require ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GNC) Engineer (Senior Project Engineer- Technical Project Management)

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience with NASA or on NASA commercial systems is required

• Excellent teaming and leadership skills with an ability to working across diverse teams and multi-task across various issues/disciplines simultaneously 

• Proven expertise in managing multiple concurrent tasks and provide direction on competing priorities 

How You Can Stand Out  

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: 

• Advanced degree in a STEM field, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or related discipline preferred

• Develop and maintain software in Python (required) and C/C++ is strongly preferred

• Expertise in building on NASA Human Spaceflight topics and safety matters 

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change   
• Engage with Impact   
• Foster Innovation   
• Deliver Results  

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.  A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs
• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.