Job Details
New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.
Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.
This unique opportunity is part of the Mechanical and Control Systems Division , which is responsible for technology development, advanced concepts, design, development, delivery, integration and test, verification and validation, and operation of complex Mechanical, Thermal, Propulsion, Robotics, and Guidance and Control (G&C) systems.
The Division’s Guidance & Control Section develops advanced spacecraft and payload Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) architectures, designs, algorithms, simulations, and hardware development. The Section provides end-to-end expertise ranging from early-stage conceptual design and systems engineering analysis to development and performance validation to flight software implementation to on-orbit commissioning and operations. Our team develops the critical systems that enable precision pointing, autonomous navigation, and complex motion control for a diverse array of mission profiles, including pin-point landing, space rendezvous, and formation flying as well as world-class research and technology development in autonomous guidance, navigation and control systems.
We are seeking a versatile, cross-functional GNC Engineer to support our classified programs. As a cleared Guidance and Control Engineer at JPL, you will work for the Guidance and Control Section in the Control Analysis Group. You will contribute to the advancement and development of spacecraft and payload/instrument guidance, navigation, and control architectures, designs, algorithms, simulations, flight software implementations, performance validation and on-orbit commissioning and operations.
Responsibilities
In this position, you will be responsible for the development of algorithmic models, simulation, and analysis for a highly complex GNC subsystem. You will be a member of a team that develops and operates these systems and coordinates efforts to validate and document performance prior to delivery to the customers.
Other responsibilities include:
Conceptualizing, designing, analyzing, simulating, and evaluating the performance of a highly advanced GNC subsystem and the electro-mechanical sensors and actuators that are part of that subsystem
Design, development, and delivery/maintenance of advanced algorithms and models with associated software code, including simulation and flight code, for integration and test at the GNC subsystem and system level
Model validation and tuning to ensure physical accuracy
Development and execution of detailed subsystem test and verification plans
Required Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience; or a Master’s degree with a minimum of 1 year of relevant experience.
Ability to obtain a TS/SCI
Proficiency with MATLAB and Simulink
Technical background in feedback control systems (bode plots, gain and phase margin, etc) with particular application to aerospace systems
Demonstrated ability to pivot quickly between different tasks in a fast-paced development environment
Ability to quickly pick up and adapt to diverse simulation environments and data formats, and including adaptability…