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Northrop Grumman

Sr./Principal Guidance Navigation and Control Engineer - Space/Satellite Systems (Gilbert AZ)

Chandler, AZ

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

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We have an opening for a Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals in the Tactical Space organization. This position will be located in Gilbert, Arizona.

GNC is designing, building, and testing spacecraft subsystems for a mix of DoD, NASA, and commercial customers. We are seeking a highly talented and ambitious Engineer to take responsibility for the GNC solutions for advanced low Earth orbit spacecraft.

The Spacecraft GNC Engineer will work within the GNC subsystem team and is expected to perform a combination of duties that include:
  • Design, analyze, and tune spacecraft attitude and position control loops using time and frequency domain techniques
  • Design, analyze, and tune sequential filters (e.g. Kalman filters) for attitude determination and relative navigation
  • Design, develop, test, and verify flight algorithms for the GNC subsystem and support flight software qualification testing
  • Develop and test GNC Simulation and Spacecraft Flight Software using MATLAB/Simulink and C/C++
  • Analyze and test the spacecraft GNC subsystem performance using simulations and other analytic tools
  • Perform analysis to support early design phase concept development including actuator sizing and placement, sensor selection and placement, attitude and position guidance, rendezvous, proximity operations and docking analyses, and predicted performance assessments
  • Develop simulation models for sensors (e.g. star tracker, rate gyro, accelerometer, GPS, magnetometer, sun sensors), actuators (e.g. reaction wheel, torque bar, thruster, CMG), system dynamics (e.g. rigid body, multi-body, orbit mechanics, flexible models, propellant slosh), and the space environment (e.g. atmospheric, solar radiation pressure, third-body gravity, geopotential)
Communication is a key element of your role and all GNC engineers are expected to:
  • Apply engineering principles, industry standards, company process, and knowledge of vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, propulsion, classical/modern control, and estimation theory to perform tasks to advanced program/project goals
  • Document designs, analysis, and test results and create presentation materials
  • Present designs, analysis, and test results to internal and external customers
  • Work well within small- to medium-sized groups
This position can be filled at the Principal or Sr. Principal level.
Basic Qualifications:
Sr. Principal Level:
  • BS Degree in a STEM field (ideally Engineering, Physics, or Math) with at least 9 years of experience (7 years with Masters, or 4 years with Ph.D). Experience can be considered in lieu of degree
  • Direct spacecraft/satellite GNC experience performing design, analysis, HW and I&T, or (possibly) flight operations
  • US Citizenship is required as well as the ability to obtain a DOD Clearance
Principal Level
  • BS Degree in a STEM field (ideally Engineering, Physics, or Math) with at least 5 years of experience (3 years with Masters, or 0 years with Ph.D). Experience can be considered in lieu of degree
  • Direct spacecraft/satellite GNC experience performing design, analysis, HW and I&T, or (possibly) flight operations
  • US Citizenship is required as well as the ability to obtain a DOD Clearance
Preferred Qualifications:
  • MS or PhD degree in engineering, physics, or math
  • Minimum overall GPA of 3.25
  • Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink and C/C++
  • Experience in centroid tracking, image processing, and RPO computer vision
  • Experience in spacecraft GNC subsystem design, analysis, and testing
  • Experience implementing GNC algorithms on embedded systems
  • Prior work experience in related field
  • Proficiency in Microsoft office suite, version control tools such as SVN or Git
  • Experience with Model Based Systems engineering, digital transformation tools such as the Atlassian suite.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
  • Active TS/SCI Clearance
The Northrop Grumman Tactical Space Division is a strategic partner specializing in commercial and classified partnerships with the design, delivery, operation and sustainment of satellites and human spacecraft. We support science and space exploration through our various partnerships, including NASA's Artemis program with the goal to return humans to the Moon in 2024 and the TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) program that has discovered more than twenty confirmed planets. Recognized as an industry leader, we also develop highly specialized space and satellite components.

Northrop Grumman offers a competitive and robust benefits program.
As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman, you are eligible for our robust benefits package including:
Medical
Dental & Vision coverage
401k
Educational Assistance
Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions
Paid Time Off
Health & Wellness Resources
Employee Discounts
Flexible Schedules (For example the ability to work a 9/80 work schedule, which allows an employee to work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday and take every other Friday off of work)
For more details please visit our total rewards site or chat with one of our recruiters to learn more.
Link: www.northropgrumman.com/benefits

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Salary Range: $92,600 - $139,000
Salary Range 2: $114,900 - $172,300

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO/AA and Pay Transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO . U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Client-provided location(s): Gilbert, AZ, USA
Job ID: NorthropGrumman-R10150614
Employment Type: Other

Perks and Benefits

  • Health and Wellness

    • Health Insurance
    • Dental Insurance
    • Vision Insurance
    • Life Insurance
    • Short-Term Disability
    • Long-Term Disability
    • HSA
    • HSA With Employer Contribution
    • On-Site Gym
    • Pet Insurance
    • Mental Health Benefits
    • Virtual Fitness Classes
  • Parental Benefits

    • Birth Parent or Maternity Leave
    • Non-Birth Parent or Paternity Leave
    • Fertility Benefits
    • Adoption Assistance Program
    • Family Support Resources
    • Adoption Leave
  • Work Flexibility

    • Flexible Work Hours
    • Remote Work Opportunities
    • Hybrid Work Opportunities
    • Four-Day Work Week
  • Office Life and Perks

    • Commuter Benefits Program
    • Company Outings
    • On-Site Cafeteria
    • Holiday Events
  • Vacation and Time Off

    • Paid Vacation
    • Paid Holidays
    • Sabbatical
    • Leave of Absence
  • Financial and Retirement

    • 401(K)
    • 401(K) With Company Matching
    • Performance Bonus
    • Relocation Assistance
    • Financial Counseling
    • Profit Sharing
  • Professional Development

    • Tuition Reimbursement
    • Promote From Within
    • Mentor Program
    • Shadowing Opportunities
    • Access to Online Courses
    • Lunch and Learns
    • Internship Program
    • Leadership Training Program
    • Associate or Rotational Training Program
  • Diversity and Inclusion

    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program
    • Employee Resource Groups (ERG)
    • Woman founded/led

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