R24950 Guidance, Navigation and Controls - Sr​/Principal; Clearance Required

About Sierra Space

Sierra Space Careers:
At Sierra Space, we build the missions and systems that keep our world secure in the domain above Earth. Our team shares a spirit of innovation and collaboration to deliver bold space missions today. We safeguard our nation, sustain human presence in space, and secure operations in low Earth orbit and beyond. Our success is measured by the trust of those who rely on what we build and deliver, keeping the United States and its allies mission-ready throughout space.

We are mission-driven, and together, we are an extraordinary team.

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 role requires extensive experience in GNC algorithm design, sensor and actuator selection, and system-level integration. The selected candidate will architect integrated GNC designs, create detailed program execution plans, and collaborate 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. You will lead the end-to-end design and development of GNC algorithms, architect integrated subsystem designs, and quantify performance impacts. Additionally, you will develop Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) tasking, long-term plans, and Gantt charts for program execution, supporting internal and external proposals and Statements of Work (SOWs).

You will perform sensor and actuator selection and sizing based on program requirements, leveraging and developing relevant design tools. You will assist in Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) by conducting HITL unit and integrated testing to verify GNC subsystem performance. You will set up integrated closed-loop dynamic models and GNC simulations, perform MIMO linearization, and analyze complex closed-loop data interactions.

Moreover, you will decompose high-level requirements into low-level GNC subsystem requirements, translating them into sensor and actuator sizing and selection. Finally, you will interface sensors with onboard avionics by addressing physical compute limitations, defining interfaces, and developing target timing requirements.

The following desired qualifications describe the candidate profile and are categorized as Minimum Qualifications and Preferred Qualifications. The minimum qualifications are required; preferred qualifications are a bonus.

• 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.

• Experience with presenting design review material to program and customer, explaining complex concepts succinctly.
• Familiarity with advanced guidance and control algorithms (optimal control, autonomous navigation using LIDAR, vision, GPS, RGPS).
• In-depth knowledge and experience with end-to-end design in at least one area of GNC algorithms; ability to understand, architect, and quantify impact of integrated GNC design and performance.
• Experience with developing IMS tasking and long-term plans, estimate hours, and create Gantt charts for the program. Support GNC proposals and SOWs.
• Advanced skills in STK, JIRA, Confluence, and MS Project.
• Experience with sensor and actuator selection & sizing based on program requirements; use/ develop relevant design tools.
• Experience with AI&T in HITL environment and integrated testing to verify performance.
• Experience with setting up integrated closed-loop dynamic models and GNC simulations, interfacing, MIMO linearization, and analyzing closed-loop data based on complex interactions within GNC algorithms.
• Experience with development of complex GNC mode managers for the subsystem.
• Experience with decomposing program requirements into low-level GNC sub-system and translate into sensors and actuator sizing and selection.
• Familiarity with sensor interfacing to onboard avionics, understanding physical compute limitations, developing interface definitions, and target timing requirements.
• Experience with conducting trade studies with power, thermal, communications, and structures to…