Guidance, Navigation, and Control Analyst Instrument Modeling and Simulation

Job Summary

Sure Secure is seeking a Senior Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Analyst for Instrument Modeling and Simulation to support NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA. The period of performance is expected to run from August 4, 2026 through December 31, 2027. This position is on‑site at the customer site in Pasadena and requires an active, transferable U.S. government‑issued TS/SCI security clearance prior to the start date;

U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for the required clearance.

As a member of the JPL GNC team, the analyst maintains, modifies, and develops high‑fidelity behavioral simulations of electromechanical actuators and sensors, and supports risk reduction activities and technical requirements for future mechanism versions. The candidate will:

• Tune and validate simulations against actual testbed data to ensure physical accuracy.
• Create and maintain low‑fidelity "surrogate" models that approximate actuator behavior for use in larger, integrated system simulations.
• Execute rapid‑turnaround tasks (2‑3 week cycles) to support sponsor‑driven studies, delivering results via plots and presentations.
• Provide ongoing maintenance and updates to the project's primary simulation environment to ensure stability for other project stakeholders.
• Participate in vendor meetings and technical reviews to absorb critical design information, ensuring behavioral models accurately reflect external hardware and software specifications.
• Act as a flexible resource within a small team, providing overlap and support for other GNC functions as bandwidth requires.
• Translate complex simulation data into clear, concise plots and PowerPoint presentations for internal and external stakeholders.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related STEM field, with a minimum of 10 years of prior relevant experience.
• U.S. citizenship and eligibility to obtain any required Export Authorization.
• Expert‑level proficiency in Matlab and Simulink.
• Familiarity with signal processing.
• Ability to create and maintain behavioral models that capture the critical aspects of complex electromechanical systems in a manner that is transparent, understandable, and modifiable for other team members.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical results through high‑quality visualization (plots) and professional presentations.
• Experience with high‑bandwidth mechatronics and dynamics.
• Experience in the research and development of precision pointing systems.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity and pivot quickly between different technical tasks.
• Experience working directly with external vendors and hardware suppliers.
• Ability to adapt to diverse vendor‑delivered simulation environments and data formats.
• Familiarity with the transition from high‑fidelity research models to low‑fidelity flight/system models.

• Ability to work in a complex, multi‑task, schedule‑driven environment.
• Ability and initiative to perform effectively with minimal day‑to‑day oversight.

Sure Secure Solutions is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, including Veterans and Disabled individuals. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation.

We have an enjoyable working environment, offering competitive benefit packages, including Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life insurance, Long and short‑term disability, Paid time off, and a 401(k) Retirement plan. More specific information on benefits eligibility will be provided as part of the interview process.

This is a full‑time remote role (Quarterly travel for a few days may be required). A U.S. citizenship is required. All candidates must be able to pass a National Agency Clearance with inquiries.