Principal Engineer, Rendezvous & Proximity Operations (RPO), Guidance, Navigation & Control, Lead

About The Role

Sierra Space is seeking a Principal Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer to lead the development, integration, and innovation of advanced GNC systems for spacecraft applications. This senior role requires extensive expertise across all aspects of GNC algorithmic design, autonomy, and system architecture.

• Drive technical excellence across programs and ensure scalable and reusable designs for multiple platforms.
• Drive program execution towards achieving key GNC milestones while sharing your GNC design and development expertise, serving as both a lead and an individual contributor across multiple programs.
• Own the end-to-end design aspects of Guidance, Navigation, and Control on various programs and formulate GNC design, development, and testing architecture and processes for new programs, focusing on flexibility, adaptability, and reliability to meet long-term program goals.
• Architect GNC sensor, avionics, and actuator frameworks in conjunction with FSW C&DH, provide input to Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) planning as a GNC expert on test configurations, and assist with HITL troubleshooting.
• Perform sensor and actuator selection and sizing based on program requirements, using and developing relevant design tools, and assist in AI&T by conducting HITL unit and integrated testing to verify GNC subsystem performance.

About You

We are looking for team members who align with our values, mission, and goals – while also meeting the minimum qualifications below. The preferred qualifications are a bonus, not a requirement.

• 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 10+ years of related experience.
• 12+ years of experience in GNC algorithm design, subsystem integration, and spacecraft development.
• Possess in-depth knowledge of adaptive and robust control systems, LOS and jitter mitigation design and analysis, and particle filtering techniques.
• Demonstrate subject matter expertise in at least two areas of GNC algorithmic design and have experience with end-to-end GNC design on at least one program.
• Experience with planning and scheduling GNC tasks for multiple teams and programs; develop advanced proposals and SOWs for customers.
• Advanced user of STK; expertise in SIMULINK programming and auto coding, JIRA, Confluence, and MS Project; familiarity with FPGA programming.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance is required.

Compensation

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.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use.