Senior Guidance Navigation & Control Engineer (GNC IPT Lead) (Clearance Required)

Sierra Space Careers: Dare to Dream
We honor those that are not afraid to dream big dreams, those that tenaciously chase their dreams even when others say it cannot be done, those that achieve big dreams and change everything. Those are Dreams Worth Chasing.
At Sierra Space we envision a future where humanity lives and works in space, on moons, and on distant planets. Our mission isn't restricted to the few, instead we see a future where all people can choose to live, work, discover and explore beyond our planet. Our company is building a platform in space to benefit life on Earth and together we will alter the course of humanity.
We have a bold mission. We are a bold company. Together, we are an extraordinary team.
About the Role
Do you have an eye for detail and a passion for developing innovation solutions? Join our team! As a Guidance, Navigation and Control Engineer, you will be using your skills and expertise to design and test algorithms, flight software, related hardware, design tools, simulations, and more for various aerospace vehicles. These cover a very wide range from advanced mission payloads and electronic systems through highly integrated aircraft to orbital and space exploration systems. You'll explore complex GN&C algorithms and systems to assess performance of vehicle flight qualities and capabilities. Your technical duties involve the design, development, evaluation, and test of new products and processes throughout the product lifecycle.
Sierra Space Defense focuses on the design, build, and operations of small satellites in support of commercial services and national security space and offers two work locations: Louisville, Colorado and Centennial, Colorado.
As a Senior Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer, you will be using your skills and expertise to design and analyze satellite hardware and software configurations, design and test GNC algorithms, build and test flight software, create and use design tools, build and analyze simulations, and more for various small satellite programs. Your technical duties involve the design, development, evaluation, and test of new products and software throughout the product lifecycle.
The design of configurations and algorithms stem from understanding, analyzing and evaluating satellite and constellation capabilities, mission concepts, and system requirements. Your work will ensure we meet customer requirements by making data-driven decisions in architecting, planning, building and testing the design in a testbed prototype and subsequent delivery of the end product. Along the way, you will build tools and contribute to analyses of various architectures that include space vehicles, satellites, sensors, communications, and ground infrastructure; evolving or creating new approaches based on analysis results. You will also contribute to evaluating the mission effectiveness of the candidate approaches, balancing mission objectives against factors such as development and lifecycle costs.
The successful candidate will have experience with at least most portions of the software life cycle (concept development, requirements definition, design, development, testing, and deployment). Additionally, the successful candidate will have experience doing GN&C-related analysis such as performance analysis, multi-sensor fusion and estimation/filtering, sensor processing and/or other advanced GN&C analyses. This individual has a strong working knowledge of Matlab and Simulink and experience with code development. Object-oriented design using the C and C++ languages is a plus, as is having experience in deploying and testing flight code on embedded processors. Experience with Agile Scrum is desired. Local area travel between Louisville and Centennial may be required.
About You
Our mission is driven by the unwavering passion to push the boundaries of what is possible. We seek those who Dare to Dream - to envision the extraordinary and pursue it relentlessly - to join us on this transformational journey.
We're looking for dreamers who align with our values, vision, and audacious goals - while also meeting the minimum qualifications below. The preferred qualifications are a bonus, not a requirement.
Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering or other related discipline and typically 10 or more years of relevant experience
• Relevant experience may substitute for degree
• Advanced knowledge of engineering principles and practices
• Demonstrated experience with Computer Aided Engineering tools, analysis and simulation
• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary design and development teams
• Active TS/SCI US Government security clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading GNC integrated product teams for space vehicle development
• Experience providing technical oversight of junior engineers
• Experience with system modeling tools, such as MATLAB/Simulink, STK
• Experience in RPO development and test
• Knowledge of the ramifications imposed on GNC design by RPO activities
• Experience with GNC analysis and simulation
• Experience with C/C++
• Experience with Python
• Experience with containerization and microservices
• Previous experience with navigation filters and fault detection algorithms
• Experience with related aerospace vehicles, sensor suites, and missions
• Exposure to vehicle stability principles and control system design and analysis
• Experience with auto-code generation
• Past history of leading baseline definition and maturation in a complex development setting, including the use of highly integrated trade studies and analysis of alternative
• Experience providing scheduling and budgetary inputs for GNC efforts
• Experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies
• Background in the Aerospace and Defense Industry

Physical/Mental/Emotional Requirements:

• Frequently walk, sit, stand, climb stairs and steps
• Frequently repeat same hand, arm, and finger motion many times to include finger and hand dexterity
• Rarely lifting or carrying up to 25 lbs.

Working Conditions:

• Rarely exposed to outdoor elements (high/low temperatures, sun, rain/snow, etc.)
• Rarely exposed to fumes or hazardous chemicals/materials
• Rarely exposed to loud noises

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
This position requires an active Top Secret with SCI eligibility 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.
Elevate Your Career
At Sierra Space, we are committed to your personal and professional development. We empower you to make profound and meaningful contributions and foster a vibrant culture of collaboration, where teamwork ignites breakthrough innovations.
Sierra Space offers annual incentive pay based upon performance that is commensurate with the level of the position.
We also offer a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 8%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, and more.
Estimated Starting Salary Range:
$138,634.92 - $190,623.01
At Sierra Space we are at the very doorstep of unlocking the future and the work in front of us is hard, but it is truly important and meaningful. Achieving our mission requires dedication, relentless pursuit of a dream and an unwavering passion for pushing the boundaries to accomplish what others might believe to be impossible. We seek those who too, Dare to Dream and will join us in a pursuit to achieve the extraordinary.
Application Deadline: This role will remain posted until a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
Please note: Sierra Space does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to Sierra Space team members not through our approved vendor list or Talent Acquisition will be considered property of Sierra Space, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.
Sierra Space Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need special assistance or a reasonable accommodation related to applying for employment with Sierra Space or at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us.