Terrain Relative Navigation Engineer; ES4

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The Amentum Space Exploration Division (ASED) Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) team executes critical work for NASA’s SLS, HLS, Artemis, and related programs. We are seeking a Senior Terrain Relative Navigation (TRN) Engineer to architect and lead high-fidelity image rendering, sensor modeling, and TRN simulation capabilities for lunar and planetary missions. This senior role drives the configuration and performance optimization of Terragen and Unreal Engine rendering pipelines for efficient in-the-loop GN&C simulation, advanced lighting map generation (Lunar DEMs and albedo maps), pre-rendered lighting techniques, and camera model fidelity.

Deep experience in lidar-based TRN/HDA algorithm development, high-fidelity multi-sensor modeling, 6-DOF simulation frameworks, and navigation filter implementation is highly valued and will enable leadership across the full TRN and GN&C simulation lifecycle.

• Architect and lead improvements to the TRN camera image rendering and simulation pipeline (Terragen / Unreal Engine).
• Design, configure, and optimize rendering pipelines for high-efficiency in-the-loop GN&C simulation; oversee lighting map generation and pre-rendered lighting strategies.
• Provide technical leadership on high-fidelity lidar, laser altimeter, IMU, and star tracker sensor modeling and on lidar-based TRN / HDA algorithm development, analysis, and validation (including motion-compensated terrain scans and CONOPs trades).
• Lead 6-DOF simulation framework development, Monte Carlo analysis, navigation filter implementation, and GN&C/flight software integration.
• Guide software development and optimization (Python, C/C++, MATLAB/Simulink); mentor junior engineers.
• Direct verification, validation, independent technical assessments, documentation, and high-level briefings.
• Interface with GN&C leads, NASA stakeholders, and multi-discipline teams.

• Must be a US Citizen and have a STAR IC.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics & Astronautics, Aerospace Engineering, or related field from an ABET-accredited institution (Master’s or PhD preferred).
• Significant, demonstrated experience leading or contributing to Terrain Relative Navigation (TRN), lidar-based TRN, optical navigation, and/or HDA systems, including modeling of motion-compensated lidar scans and algorithm iteration.
• Extensive experience developing high-fidelity sensor models (lidar, laser altimeter, IMU, star tracker) and integrating them into 6-DOF simulation environments for lunar lander applications.
• Expert-level proficiency in…