Cislunar GN&C Engineer

Job ID 11029C

Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) is going cislunar! We are working with Air Force Research Laboratory and United States Space Force to execute missions in orbits around the moon. SDL is a trusted government partner, advising on critical government priorities such as the extension of Space Situational Awareness to Cislunar space. We are seeking a Senior Guidance Navigation and Controls (GN&C) engineer with a focus on Astrodynamics to join our team.

This is an opportunity to take advanced math and physics concepts straight off the page and put them into the real world. The successful candidate will be providing daily input to determine the direction of cislunar space mission development, as well as developing new techniques to track and characterize objects in N-body space near the Moon. SDL is seeking a GN&C Engineer with experience in Space Situational Awareness, N-body space problems, experimental and theoretical research, and/or orbital modeling and simulation analyses. In this role, the candidate will produce software, and modeling and simulation analyses that contribute to space object characterization and provide critical decision information for the cislunar environment.

The successful candidate should have a solid background in astrodynamics as well as an inquisitive approach to developing new knowledge, as many of the challenges for spacecraft operating in these regions are new. They will employ a knowledge of orbital mechanics, spacecraft dynamics and trajectory optimization. The selected candidate will also be expected to act as a senior technical authority, consultant, and/or primary investigator.

This position is in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Key Responsibilities:

• Produces software and modeling & simulation analyses that contribute to space object characterization and provides critical decision information for the cislunar environment
• Proactively identify technical problems through application of technical expertise and analysis
• Inform management and government customers of recommend courses of action while maintaining open lines of communication
• Participate in contractor technical interchange meetings and reviews
• Effectively communicate technical results both orally and in writing
• Represent SDL at technical meetings, presentations, and symposia

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related STEM discipline with 5+ years of experience
• 3+ years of experience working with astrodynamics problems, simulations, and/or models
• Must be a US citizen and be able to obtain a US government security clearance
• Must be willing and able to support occasional travel (15% maximum)
• Expertise in one or more of the following: estimation theory, advanced dynamics, orbital mechanics
• Knowledge of standard control analysis and simulation tools
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with program management, customers, contractors, and colleagues
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers

Highly qualified candidates will have:

• An advanced degree in a related technical discipline
• Experience in one or more of the following: spacecraft attitude determination and control, guidance navigation and control, astrodynamics, payload pointing estimation and control, multibody and flexible body dynamics, modeling and simulation of spacecraft and payload control systems, stochastic processes and Kalman filtering, advanced control techniques and applications, and small satellite attitude determination and control design and operation
• Thesis or other Academic work on Cislunar trajectories or other N-body astrodynamics problems
• An active DoD Top Secret/SCI clearance or current SSBI (<4 years old)

SDL offers competitive salaries and fantastic benefits, including:

• Flexible work schedules that fit your style—every Friday off, every other Friday off, hybrid remote work, or simply traditional hours
• Generous paid leisure and sick leave, ensuring you never miss a special event
• Favorable company locations with average commute times of less than 15 minutes
• High-quality, low-cost health, dental, and life insurance
• A 14.2% employer retirement contribution into a 401(a) account—no matching required!
• Utah State University undergraduate tuition discounts of 50%, full reimbursement for graduate tuition, and free course audits for employees and dependents meeting eligibility requirements
• A great, highly educated team that works together to solve some of the most fascinating problems on (and off) our planet
• We are a growing company that maintains both a family feel and high retention rate with over 90% job satisfaction
• Relocation package

SDL supports a variety of missions, including NASA’s vision to reveal the unknown for the benefit of humankind and the Department of Defense’s aim to protect our Nation on the ground, in the air, and in space. Our sensors, satellites, software systems, and science and engineering play an essential role in some important missions you’ve heard of, and others that you haven’t. Join our team in our seventh decade of delivering mission success.

Great science and engineering come out of great teams, and the best teams are made of diverse individuals.  We encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, or any other identity.  Research has shown that individuals from some underrepresented groups are more likely to self-select out of jobs when they don’t meet 100% of the listed qualifications.  If you’re unsure if you are qualified, apply and let us figure it out together.

For questions or assistance with the application process or the DoD SkillBridge program, please contact employment@sdl.usu.edu.

EOE including Disability and Vet