Position ID: MCL-GNC-20230714-ADV0004YR
Posting Date: July 14, 2023
Location: Houston, TX
Are you passionate about human space exploration, understanding the origins of the universe, and working with a passionate and diverse team to make a difference? If you are, we need you!
We need your talent, teamwork, and energy to help us achieve great things that inspire people all over the globe. We need you to bring creative ideas and diverse backgrounds to help us envision, shape, and deliver systems that will enable the exploration of space while benefiting people here on Earth. We are excited about what we do, and we need you on our team as we take on exciting challenges for NASA’s pursuits in deep space exploration. Jacobs is NASA’s largest engineering solutions provider working together with NASA at centers across the United States.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Spacecraft Rendezvous and Proximity Operations GN&C Engineer to join our JETS II contract team at Johnson Space Center.
** We are actively searching for qualified candidates for this potential opening; however, we do not have assurance at this time when the position will be finalized and opened. Because we have strong reason to believe the position will be approved soon, we are proceeding with identifying qualified candidates and conducting interviews. **
In this position you will work to provide technical oversight, program integration, and certification of visiting vehicle mission Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) systems to both the International Space Station (ISS) and future commercial space platforms.
Responsibilities- Certify GNC system requirements compliance through review of analysis and test reports, including assessment of navigation sensor performance, trajectory dispersions, and other GN&C parameters
- Certify fault tolerance safety requirements compliance through review of GNC-related hazard reports and associated verification evidence, including communicating uncovered issues to a Safety Review Panel
- Identify and recommend solutions to GNC/Rendezvous and Proximity Operations performance related issues
- Conduct performance assessments on delivered GN&C data from visiting vehicle providers and provide feedback on compliance
- Provide feedback on Monte Carlo trajectory analyses using independent 6 degrees-of-freedom simulations
- Provide engineering inputs to operational products, such as flight rules and on-orbit demonstration plans
- Provide console support during real-time ground monitoring of the visiting vehicle’s GN&C system on missions
- Maintain relationships with a diverse technical team, including personnel from engineering, safety, flight operations, crew office, and visiting vehicle providers
- Perform other duties as required
This position has been posted at multiple levels. Depending on the candidate’s experience, requirements and business needs, we reserve the right to consider candidates at any level for which this position has been advertised.
- Experience with orbital mechanics and GNC principles
- Knowledge in the development of GNC algorithms and analyzing system performance for spacecraft
- Experience with design, verification, testing, and operation of GNC hardware and software
- Experience with the development of space system requirements and documents
- Strong interpersonal skills to enable successful performance in a collaborative engineering environment
- Ability to organize and prioritize tasks in order to meet deadlines and schedules with limited supervision
- Ability to prepare written documents and to verbally present at various meetings.
- Excellent communication and documentation skills and the ability to work in a team environment consisting of NASA civil servants and various contractor employees
- Experience with Microsoft Office products
Preferred Education and Experience:
- MS in Aerospace Engineering with a focus on GNC, flight controls, and orbital mechanics
- Experience with spacecraft rendezvous, proximity operations, and capture/docking
- Experience developing, verifying, and validating simulation models
- Familiarity with spacecraft docking systems
- Working knowledge of NASA, JSC, and ISS standard practices and requirements, including safety and fault tolerance
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and a minimum of 2- 5 years of experience in the field or in a related area.
Mclaurin is a unique organization with a special focus on combining the best features of research and industry in order to foster innovation. Our organization strongly supports research, publication, and engagement with the academic community. We encourage our employees to remain on the cutting edge of new developments in their respective disciplines. Prospective candidates should submit a cover letter and resume, and if applicable, a list of relevant publications and research using the contact form below.
US Citizenship and the ability to pass a comprehensive security background investigation is required.
Mclaurin is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.