Guidance and Control Hardware Engineer III

JPL/NASA•Pasadena, CA

2d•$145,808 - $182,728

About The Position

This role is part of JPL’s Mechanical Control Systems Division and Guidance and Control Section, within the GN&C Sensors, Actuators, Payloads, and Field Test Group. The group performs systems engineering, design and analysis, hardware development, procurement, testing, and operations support for guidance and control systems on deep-space, Earth-orbiting, and astrophysics missions. It also conducts research and technology development in autonomous guidance, navigation, and control, including pinpoint and safe landing, space rendezvous, formation flying, and precision pointing. The engineer is responsible for procuring or designing, developing, integrating, and flight-qualifying sensor systems for flight missions, including inertial and optical GN&C sensors. The role also independently proposes and develops new sensor technologies for onboard spacecraft GN&C systems, obtains funding for technology development, and leads development efforts intended for infusion into future flight projects.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Physics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline, with at least 6 years of related experience; or a master’s degree in a technical discipline with at least 4 years of related experience; or a Ph.D. in a technical discipline with at least 2 years of related experience.
Knowledge in one or more GN&C sensor areas, such as inertial or optical sensors, lidars, star trackers, sun sensors, formation-flying sensors, pinpoint and safe-landing sensors, space-rendezvous sensors, or precision-pointing sensors.
Experience leading hands-on hardware development or complex hardware test beds to characterize functionality and performance.
Experience leading field testing of prototype hardware in relevant environments, such as dynamic test beds, aerial vehicles, or rovers.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of applicable industry and/or academic practices and standards in spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control and spacecraft sensor systems.
Experience and a proven track record developing new technology for GN&C sensors.
Experience with contract technical management.
Proven ability to acquire new funding for technology development.
Advanced knowledge of applicable Laboratory policies and procedures, NASA policies and procedures, and government regulations.
Experience developing integrated GN&C hardware and software systems.
Experience with flight qualification of spacecraft sensor systems.
Familiarity with FPGAs and embedded electronics.
Familiarity with Generative AI and agentic workflows for engineering applications.
Demonstrated team leadership and task management skills.
Hands-on GN&C experience.

Responsibilities

Procure or design, develop, integrate, and flight-qualify sensor systems for flight missions, including inertial- and optical-based GN&C sensors.
Independently propose and develop new sensor technologies for onboard spacecraft GN&C systems.
Secure funding for technology development.
Lead efforts to develop technology for infusion into future flight projects.