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 Autonomous Systems Division, which is responsible for technology development, advanced concepts, design, development, delivery, integration and test, verification and validation, and operation of Command and Data Handling (C&DH) Hardware, Flight Software, Power Systems, Robotic Systems, and Guidance and Control (G&C). 

As a Guidance and Control Engineer in the Payload/Instrument Pointing Control Systems Engineering Group, you will be working for JPL’s Guidance and Control Section. We do system engineering, design and analysis, hardware development/procurement, testing, and operations support in G&C areas for unique deep-space/earth-orbiting/astrophysics missions. We also do world class research and technology development in autonomous guidance, navigation and control systems including pin-point and safe landing, space rendezvous, formation flying, and precision pointing, among others. 

Duties & Responsibilities:

In this position, you will be responsible for architecting, designing and analyzing advanced Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) systems. You will work with teams that develop and operate these systems, as well as coordinate the efforts to validate and document the performance of these systems prior to delivering them to the customers.

Other responsibilities include:

• Conceiving, designing, analyzing, simulating, overseeing, and assessing complex performance at the G&C subsystem level.
• Ensuring the delivery of complex hardware and/or software to G&C subsystem integration and test.
• Developing and implementing detailed test and verification plans from the subsystem.
• Facilitating the work of specialist engineers to develop integrated concepts.
• Interface between GNC Subsystem and flight system, such as requirements, mass/power/performance budgets, mechanical/electrical/software interfaces

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering or related technical discipline with a minimum of 3 year of related experience, a Master’s degree in a technical discipline with a minimum of 1 year related experience, or a PhD in a technical discipline.
• 3.0 GPA
• A technical background in the areas of modern guidance, estimation and control with application to aerospace systems
• Capability to perform research and development of advanced GNC systems for deep space exploration applications
• A proven team player and effective leader with excellent communication, interpersonal, verbal and presentation skills.

Additionally, it is highly desired that the candidate has a range of capabilities and experience drawn from the following areas:

GNC System Architectures

Terrain relative navigation

GNC Closed Loop in Hardware Testbeds

Entry Decent and Landing Guidance Navigation and Control

Pointing Error Budgets

Verification and Validation of GNC Systems

Hardware Testing of GNC Sensors (eg. IMU, SRU, LIDAR, Vision)

GNC relevant on-board and ground calibrations

Rotorcraft Dynamics and Controls

Onboard Autonomy

GNC Fault Protection – design implementation and testing

Small Satellites Altitude Control Systems

Additional Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of applicable industry and/or academic practices and standards in precision optical sensor pointing, spacecraft instrument disturbance rejection, instrument pointing systems, guidance navigation and control systems for entry, descent and landing.
• Understanding of principles, theories, concepts and techniques in high precision pointing systems
• Proven team player and effective leader with excellent communication, interpersonal, verbal and presentation skills.
• Experience designing, analyzing, implementing, calibrating, verifying, and simulating complex and advanced GN&C on-orbit systems.
• Experience in the design of autonomous systems and spacecraft autonomy
• Demonstrated experience managing cost and schedule

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

EEO is the Law.

EEO is the Law Supplement

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.