GNC Controls Engineer

Space Dynamics Laboratory • North Logan, UT

13d • $105,000 - $180,000

About The Position

Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) is seeking a GNC Controls Engineer for its Strategic & Military Space Division. The role leads the development, testing, and deployment of control systems for satellites and space-based components, supporting important U.S. government missions. The engineer will own the controller component of a major spacecraft subsystem, such as an ADCS, propulsion system, or gimbaled instrument, on satellites developed by SDL or external vendors.

The position involves technical design leadership across the controller lifecycle, including analysis, requirements derivation, algorithms, electrical and mechanical design, software, systems engineering, integration, and checkout. The engineer will develop and maintain a multidisciplinary understanding of the owned component and its interfaces, ensure it meets mission and system requirements, coordinate development across engineering disciplines, and provide technical input in mission and systems-level reviews. The role also includes preparing and presenting technical documentation and occasionally traveling to contractor and customer facilities.

SDL is a University Affiliated Research Corporation that conducts research and development for the Space Force and associated government agencies. Its Strategic & Military Space Division delivers satellite and sensor systems supporting the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. SDL describes its workplace culture as respectful, collaborative, empowering, and accountable. The advertised salary range is $105,000–$180,000, commensurate with education and relevant experience. The application window is expected to remain open for approximately seven days, subject to business needs and candidate availability.

Requirements

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Controls Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent qualifications and experience.
• At least 7 years of experience in controller design and implementation, including at least 4 years serving as a component (box) owner.
• Demonstrated experience designing controllers for aerospace applications.
• Experience overseeing the full controller development lifecycle, including algorithms, modeling, electrical design, software development, mechanical design, systems engineering, integration, and checkout.
• Experience integrating controllers into larger products or systems as a subsystem-level component.
• Experience designing and implementing high-bandwidth real-time control systems.
• Experience developing, documenting, and overseeing the implementation and verification of requirements for controllers and related aerospace systems.
• Experience using MATLAB/Simulink for controller design, modeling, simulation, and technical analysis.
• Working knowledge of classical spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) principles.
• Working knowledge of current hardware technologies and controller design approaches used in space systems.
• Ability to communicate technical information effectively, verbally and in writing, with program management, customers, contractors, and cross-functional engineering teams.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a government security clearance.
• Ability to travel occasionally to contractor and customer facilities.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering with a concentration in GNC or Controls, or a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with an aerospace engineering background.
• At least 10 years of experience in space-based control systems, including at least 5 years serving as a component (box) owner.
• Experience in one or more of the following: propulsion; astrodynamics/orbital mechanics; rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO); attitude dynamics and controls (ADC); spacecraft navigation/orbit determination; spacecraft guidance/optimization; or hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation and test.
• Experience with Atlassian tools, including Confluence, JIRA, and Bitbucket.
• Knowledge of software implementation on FPGAs.
• Experience with software development using C++.
• Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance.
• Experience developing controllers for the Department of War (DoW) or other government agencies.

Responsibilities

• Own the controller component of a major spacecraft subsystem, such as ADCS, propulsion, or gimbaled instruments, on SDL-developed or vendor-developed satellites.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive multidisciplinary understanding of the owned component, including its design, functionality, interfaces, and integration within the spacecraft system.
• Develop, interpret, and manage technical requirements to ensure the component meets mission objectives and overall system requirements.
• Oversee controller and associated avionics development to ensure compliance with technical requirements, performance expectations, and program objectives.
• Collaborate across engineering disciplines to ensure component designs, interfaces, and implementations meet spaceflight performance and reliability standards.
• Perform design changes and analysis as needed.
• Track issues using JIRA and work with programs to implement improvements.
• Participate in mission- and systems-level program reviews, providing technical expertise, design assessments, and status updates.
• Prepare, review, and present technical documentation, including analyses, design documentation, development plans, and other engineering deliverables.

What This Job Offers

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