[Hiring] Sr Guidance, Navigation & Controls Engineer @Sierra Space

Role Description

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.
• 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.
• Lead the end-to-end design and development of GNC algorithms.
• Architect integrated subsystem designs and quantify performance impacts.
• 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.
• Assist in Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) by conducting HITL unit and integrated testing to verify GNC subsystem performance.
• 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 by addressing physical compute limitations.

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.

Requirements

• 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.
• Ability to 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.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%.
• Life insurance.
• 3 weeks paid time off.
• Opportunities for personal and professional development.