Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) Engineer

Overview

Astrion is seeking a Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer for the Deep Space Logistics Engineering Support (LENS) Contract. This position is full-time and on site at Kennedy Space Center, FL.

Required Qualifications / Skills

• B.S. degree in engineering or related discipline from an accredited engineering school and fourteen (14) years of related engineering experience
• or an M.S. degree in engineering or a related discipline from an accredited engineering school and ten (10) years of related engineering experience
• Experience with one or more of the following: FreeFlyer, STK, Copernicus or other orbital dynamics modeling and simulation software for spacecraft trajectory
• Experience developing GN&C algorithms (e.g., 6-DOF) and implementing them into proof-of-concept and validate simulation software using MATLAB, python, and C++
• Experience with the development of space systems requirements documents including functional requirements and verification success criteria
• Experience with design, assembly, verification, testing, and operation of spacecraft guidance, navigation and control systems and sensors
• Knowledge of navigation sensors for operating in the space environment
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and successfully complete a U.S. government background investigation
• Ability to work in a team environment consisting of NASA civil servants and various contractor employees
• Highly organized and self-motivated
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to coordinate support from a wide range of technical disciplines

Desired Qualifications / Skills

• M.S. Degree in a related discipline and 10 years of experience
• Experience with deep space NASA missions
• Experience with spacecraft flexible body and propellant slosh in low-g environments
• Strong proficiency with FreeFlyer®, STK and/or Copernicus, MATLAB®, and Python
• Strong proficiency in C++ and experience with NASA code POST2
• Experience with the non-GPS enabled GN&C systems and sensor and navigation methodologies
• Familiarity with NASA organizations, processes, and procedures including NASA System Engineering Standards such as the NASA System Engineering Handbook (NASA/SP-6105), NASA Procedural Requirements (NPR 7123), and NASA Space Flight Program and Project Management Handbook (NPR 7120)
• Experience working with NASA launch services providers
• Experience with NASA deep space mission systems engineering including coordinating system requirements verification and validation between multiple organizations and centers
• Experience with human rated space flight

Responsibilities

• The Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) Engineer provides support on behalf of our customers to determine, negotiate and implement mission-enabling GN&C requirements for the GLS systems and associated hardware
• Additionally, this position will perform independent modeling and simulation tool development and analysis to support independent verification and validation (IV&V) of requirements and work closely with the mission design team
• As a GN&C Engineer You Will Review system architecture, hardware requirements, designs, assembly procedures, test plans, procedures, and data in support of the Deep Space Logistic GN&C and occasionally Mission Design to ensure approaches are sound, component selection is appropriate for the intended usage, and suitable for the proposed application
• Provide recommendations for improvements to system architectures, hardware requirements, designs, test plans, and procedures if disparities/deficiencies are identified
• Ensure NASA requirements are satisfied by design solutions and support production/control board meetings, design, and system reviews
• Track GN&C specific requirements verification and validation progress
• Perform computer-based analysis in support of GN&C applications for independent verification and validation (IV&V) of requirements, according to modeling and simulation best practices and following NASA standards
• Including, but not limited to:
• Trajectory and attitude of the spacecraft
• 6-DOF motion simulations using in-house and NASA tools
• RPOD analysis to determine feasibility of mission operations concepts
• Navigation analysis without GPS for deep space spacecraft rendezvous
• Provide engineering insight in support of the DSL Logistic Modules providers for their GN&C system designs in relation to Avionics, Mission Design, Flight Software, and other systems
• Evaluate various options, utilizing matrix organization support as necessary, to offer best technical guidance about various trade-offs (technical, schedule, risk, etc.)
• Work in a team environment and report to senior NASA personnel to provide status on providers development progress and issues
• Travel as required in support of technical reviews and exchanges
• Select and apply engineering techniques and procedures to analyze and evaluate specific problems, data, or other features of the work which are broad in scope and complexity
• Provide recommendations for program acceptance of requirements verification, testing, risks and hazards
• Perform other duties as required