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

Sierra Space•Louisville, CO

About The Position

Sierra Space is seeking a Sr Principal Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer to lead the development, integration, and innovation of advanced GNC systems for spacecraft. This senior role calls for extensive expertise in GNC algorithmic design, autonomy, and system architecture. The successful candidate will drive technical excellence across programs and develop scalable, reusable designs for multiple platforms. The engineer will lead and contribute to program execution across multiple programs, driving key GNC milestones and owning end-to-end GNC design. The role includes formulating GNC design, development, testing architectures, and processes for new programs, with an emphasis on flexibility, adaptability, and reliability. The engineer will architect GNC sensor, avionics, and actuator frameworks in conjunction with FSW C&DH; contribute GNC expertise to Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) planning; assist with hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) troubleshooting; select and size sensors and actuators; develop and use relevant design tools; and conduct HITL unit and integrated testing to verify subsystem performance. The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. citizenship is required for this position. Sierra Space offers a benefits package including medical, dental, and vision plans, a 401(k) with a 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, and three weeks of paid time off.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field, or equivalent work experience in lieu of a degree; alternatively, a master's degree plus 13 years of experience.
Typically, 15 or more years of related experience.
Extensive expertise in multiple programming languages and software development principles.
Ability to design, architect, and implement complex software systems.
Strong leadership skills and ability to lead a team of engineers.
Ability to make high-level design decisions and drive the strategic direction of a software engineering team.
Demonstrated project leadership, strong problem-solving skills, and effective communication with nontechnical stakeholders.
Ability to architect and oversee technical aspects of large-scale projects and make decisions about adopting technologies and methodologies.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance; U.S. citizenship is required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Lead the development, integration, and innovation of advanced GNC systems for spacecraft.
Drive technical excellence across programs and ensure GNC designs are scalable and reusable across multiple platforms.
Drive program execution toward key GNC milestones while serving as both a technical lead and individual contributor across multiple programs.
Own end-to-end GNC design aspects on various programs.
Formulate GNC design, development, and testing architectures and processes for new programs, emphasizing flexibility, adaptability, and reliability.
Architect GNC sensor, avionics, and actuator frameworks in conjunction with FSW C&DH.
Provide GNC expertise and input to AI&T planning, including test configurations, and assist with HITL troubleshooting.
Select and size sensors and actuators based on program requirements, using and developing relevant design tools.
Conduct HITL unit and integrated testing during AI&T to verify GNC subsystem performance.
Lead end-to-end RPO and docking efforts, including mission planning, trajectory optimization, system integration, and operational execution.
Explain design concepts, subsystem relationships, and internal GNC interactions; train and guide GNC engineers and support their career development.
Develop high-level roadmap program documentation.
Establish and understand relationships between subsystem requirements and GNC, leading critical design decisions.
Delegate and formally task work, track progress, and share subject matter knowledge with the team.