Navigation Lead Engineer for Human Landing Systems

Mclaurin Aerospace • Huntsville, AL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a passionate and talented Navigation Lead Engineer for Human Landing Systems (HLS) to join our ESSCA contract team at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL. This role is crucial for advancing human space exploration and understanding the origins of the universe. You will be part of a diverse and energetic team dedicated to making a difference by envisioning, shaping, and delivering systems that enable space exploration while benefiting people on Earth. We are looking for individuals with creative ideas and diverse backgrounds to tackle exciting challenges for NASA's deep space exploration pursuits.

Requirements

• A degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or related field from an ABET accredited institution is required.
• Ph.D., with minimum of 14 years of experience, MS with at least 18 years of experience, or BS with at least 20-25 years of experience.
• Detail oriented.
• Work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Orbit Determination and Deep Space Navigation (Free Flyer, ODTK, MONTE, GMAT, Linear Covariance).
• Radar, LIDAR experience.
• IMU, accelerometer, rate gyro modeling, GPS.
• Terrain Relative Navigation.
• Kalman Filtering and sensor fusion.
• Dynamically model descent systems.
• Python, Fortran, C++ , Matlab & Simulink programming experience.
• Support the design, integration, and analysis of GN&C products.
• Configure, conduct, and analyze 6-DOF Monte Carlo simulations.
• Familiarity with Linux, Bash, and the use of computational clusters/servers.
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Significant navigation experience.
• Technical leadership experience.
• Deep space navigation including ground tracking orbit determination or similar experience.
• Onboard strap on navigation, including IMU, Radar/Lidar, sensor fusion, and Kalman filtering or similar experience.
• US Citizenship and the ability to pass a comprehensive security background investigation is required.

Nice To Haves

• Programming skills and mentoring abilities are highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Lead the insight/oversight effort of the HLS GNC group (across NASA centers) with regards to all aspects of the navigation system.
• Lead efforts for the Modeling and simulation of landing performance analysis of HLS trajectories.
• Lead efforts for the integration of all relevant models into the simulation, including on-orbit estate estimation using ground tracking (e.g. range and doppler form Deep Space Network stations), on-board state estimation fusing inertial measurements with terrain relative sensing such as optical, radar, lidar measurements.
• Steward trade studies to assess navigation performance under dispersed model parameters to assess uncertainty of unknown model parameters, and evaluates navigation margins.
• Assess HLS commercial partner test data and partner sensors and models.
• Develop in-house models and/or integrate sensor models from HLS commercial providers into 6-DOF simulations such as the GeneraLized Aerospace Simulation in Simulink (GLASS) tool.
• Perform and steward deep space navigation studies to assess HLS partner's navigation performance using FreeFlyer, MONTE or JSC-Linear Covariance Tool (SIGMA).
• Execute/modify existing software/scripts in Python, Matlab, Fortran, C++.
• Communicate navigation margin findings to HLS Chief Engineer and HLS commercial partners.
• Maintain and strengthen NASA HLS cross-center navigation team.
• Develop and coordinate with the GNC discipline strategic planning for growing navigation expertise at MSFC.
• Provide demonstrated (minimum of 10 years) expertise to support the Human Landing Systems (HLS) program navigation team at the level of a Subject Matter Expert, as part of the Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) discipline.
• Provide technical leadership of a team of navigation engineers to achieve safe Moon landing and return to Earth.
• Technical leadership of the HLS navigation team's modeling and simulation of HLS system, including simulation integration, visualization, analysis, and trade studies.
• Interfacing with commercial HLS partners and other NASA centers.
• Debriefs to HLS partners and HLS Chief Engineers.
• Perform and/or steward Deep Space Navigation studies, including Orbit determination accuracy of the HLS though its trajectory using FreeFlyer, MONTE and/or LinearCovariance (SIGMA) tools.
• Dynamic modeling of the HLS trajectory.
• Creating, editing and debugging software written in Python, Matlab, Fortran, and C/C++.
• Optimization and improvement of analysis tools and GN&C models.
• Working with GN&C leads and other engineering disciplines.
• Supporting the verification and validation of technical products.
• Preparing and presenting technical reports and briefings.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Positive work-life balance
• 100% Employer paid insurance including: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, short-term disability, and long-term disability
• 11 paid holidays annually
• Generous PTO
• 401k after 12 months of service with employer match
• Education assistance
• Relocation assistance (if applicable)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree