HLS Navigation Aerospace Engineer

About the role

The Amentum Space Exploration Division (ASED) Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) team is a high performing group executing challenging tasks to design and integrate GN&C systems for NASA projects ranging from NASA’s Space Launch System(SLS) to NASA’s Human Lander System. We are searching for highly qualified candidates to support NASA’s Flight Dynamics Team in the Guidance, Navigation, & Mission Analysis branch at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the insight/oversight effort of the MSFC HLS GNC group with regards to all aspects of the navigation system
• Aid with Modeling and Simulation efforts to analyze the landing performance of HLS descent trajectories to the surface of the Moon
• Lead efforts to integrate all relevant models into a MATLAB/Simulink 6-DoF simulation, including Terrain Relative Navigation (TRN), Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), Radar, Lidar, and Camera sensor models
• Tune, modify, and enhance Kalman Filter sensor fusion capabilities and assess limitations of various partner approaches
• Perform trade studies to assess navigation performance under dispersed model parameters to assess uncertainty, and evaluate navigation margins for government Design Reference Missions and government partners
• Assess partner test data and partner sensors and models
• Communicate directly with partners about the risks of their design and provide constructive feedback on possible improvements
• Execute/modify existing software/scripts in Python, Matlab, Fortran, C++
• Provide demonstrated (minimum of 4 years) expertise to support the Human Landing Systems (HLS) program navigation team as part of the Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) discipline
• Specifically, this task will entail deep technical analysis as part of a team of navigation engineers helping model HLS descent trajectories to the surface of the Moon
• Programming skills and mentoring abilities are highly desired

Qualifications

• A degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or related field from an ABET accredited institution is required
• Typical experience requirements are the equivalent of a PhD with at least 14 years of experience, a Masters with at least 18 years of experience, or BS with at least 20 years of experience
• To be successful in this position, the applicant must be detail oriented, work independently and collaboratively, possess strong communication and interpersonal skills, and will typically possess some of the following skills: Extensive navigation experience, Modeling and Simulation Integration experience, Radar and LIDAR experience, Terrain Relative Navigation experience, Dynamically model descent systems, Design of Experiments experience, Python, Fortran, C++ programming experience, Familiarity with Linux, Bash, and the use of computational clusters/servers, Support the design, integration, and analysis of GN&C products, Configure, conduct, and analyze 6-DOF Monte Carlo simulations

Skills

• MATLAB & Simulink experience
• Sensor fusion and Kalman Filtering experience relating to either onboard strap-on navigation (e.g. IMU, Radar/Lidar, TRN) OR deep space navigation (e.g. ground tracking orbit determination)

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Retail benefits (including 401(k) matching)
• Educational reimbursement
• Parental leave
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Tax-saving options
• Disability and life insurance
• Pet insurance

Pay

SME1-3 The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.

Schedule

Normal workday 7:30-4:30, Monday thru Friday. Minimal overtime may be required (10%) to meet schedule milestones and to support technical demands of the job.

Essential Functions

• Requires sitting for extended periods of time in meetings with peers, management, and with our client at NASA facilities to discuss technical issues (10%)
• Requires sitting for extended periods of time at a desk to write reports and perform engineering tasks (80%)
• Requires ability to use stairs or elevators for access between floors and multiple buildings at NASA and our facilities (10%)
• Requires ability to operate a personal computer, a telephone, fax machine, copier, calculator, and other general office equipment (100%)
• Absence arrangements required for adequate delegation of duties during absences (10%)
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and to make rational decisions, and to exercise good judgment is essential (100%)
• Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others (100%)

Physical Requirements

• Requires sitting for extended periods of time (100%)
• Requires ability to use stairs or elevators for access between floors and multiple buildings at NASA and our facilities (10%)

Equipment and Machines

• Requires ability to operate a personal computer, a telephone, fax machine, copier, calculator, and other general office equipment (100%)

Attendance

• Normal workday 7:30-4:30, Monday thru Friday. Minimal overtime may be required (10%) to meet schedule milestones and to support technical demands of the job.

Other Essential Functions

• The ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and to make rational decisions, and to exercise good judgment is essential (100%)
• Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others (100%)

Original Posting

Original Posting: 04/16/2026 - Until Filled

Amentum

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.