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

Sierra Space • Centennial, CO

4d

About The Position

Sierra Space is seeking Principal Guidance, Navigation & Control 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. The successful candidate will drive technical excellence across programs and ensure scalable and reusable designs for multiple platforms. This role offers the opportunity to drive innovation and technical excellence in aerospace technology. In this role, you will 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. You will 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. Additionally, you will 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. You will also 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.

Requirements

• 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.
• Experience with leading design reviews for programs and customers.
• 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.
• U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with developing conceptual interfacing frameworks for sensors and actuators with avionics.
• Lead end-to-end efforts in Rendezvous, Proximity Operations (RPO), and docking activities, including mission planning, trajectory optimization, system integration, and operational execution to ensure precise and reliable spacecraft interactions.
• Ability to explain complex design concepts, sub-system relationships, and internal GNC interactions to the team; train and guide GNC engineers for career development; develop high-level roadmap program documentation.
• Experience with developing advanced optimization-based simulation techniques using adaptive and predictive control algorithms.
• Establish and understand complex relationships between different sub-system requirements and GNC, leading to critical design decisions.
• Perform formal tasking and delegation to track progress; share in-depth subject matter knowledge with the team.

Responsibilities

• 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
• Assist in AI&T by conducting HITL unit and integrated testing to verify GNC subsystem performance.

Benefits

• We also offer a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal