Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Controls (GNC) Engineer

Maxar is currently seeking an experienced Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Controls Engineer with broad and deep expertise for Maxar’s agile, high-accuracy imaging mission and product line. Particular expertise is desired in the cradle-to-grave development, integration, test, and operation of transformative capabilities enabled by Control Moment Gyros (CMGs). The GNC Controls Engineer is part of a team of GNC Controls engineers responsible for replacing reaction wheel technology with CMGs and reports directly to the GNC Controls Chief Engineer.  This role will partner with the Systems, Software and Assembly, Integration & Test Engineering teams to drive consolidated engineering development deliverables while ensuring maximum team ownership, accountability, and efficient execution. This position will be based out of Westminster CO, Palo Alto CA.  or remote within the states that Maxar conducts business.

The GNC Engineer will need to work with existing teams, but this role will be accountable for successful GNC design and integration, and infuse a forward thinking, nimble, and innovative mindset to the larger team.  

Responsibilities:  

• Demonstrated ability to contribute to the architectural and detailed design of advanced Guidance Navigation & Control systems, subsystems and/or components, balancing cost, schedule and technical risks, to stakeholder requirements.  
• Demonstrated ability to participate in rapid prototyping, analyze alternatives, perform design analysis.  
• Partners closely with engineering management to decompose mission functionality, operational scenarios and oversee elegant design, analysis & test solutions.   
• Contributor for elements of integrated guidance, navigation & control software including software development, verification and validation, interfaces, command and telemetry, attitude control / guidance and navigation algorithms and analyses, spacecraft simulators, ground software, and DevOps, including integration with emulators, simulators, and real spacecraft hardware.  
• Design, develop, validate, document, and deliver cost-effective embedded determination & controls software which meets product, customer, and mission requirements. 
• Intimately familiar with a variety of guidance, navigation, attitude determination and control filter design and analysis techniques for implementation in embedded flight and ground systems.
• Strong system engineering experience, with experience delivering elegant, user-friendly implementations.
• Contributor to flight control requirements sell off to stakeholders and customers, and demonstration of integration readiness at various program milestones, (design reviews, , etc.).
• Ability to trade and appropriately balance mission, bus and product drivers, and can speak credibly about how they integrate and can be monetized. 
• Generate appropriate engineering artifacts (e.g. Design Review presentations, Interface Control Documents, etc.) at the appropriate level for consumption by either stakeholders and/or Development team members, for the long term growth of the Product.  
• Engage actively in all program risk management activities.
• Lead and contribute to engineering reviews as needed. 
• Strong communication and presentation skills and the ability to successfully bring together diverse teams made up of multiple engineering and business disciplines. 
• Participate in a culture of teamwork, ownership, transparency, accountability, & crisp execution to goals.  
• Work collaboratively with the other engineers to transform engineering development process to enable efficient development of large-scale complex systems.  
• Partner with Maxar Space product and mission architecture teams to ensure direct linkage to product and technical strategies.
• Travel as necessary to ensure team cohesion & Program and Product success. 
• Position may include other duties as required.   

Minimum Requirements:  

• Must be a U.S. citizen who is willing and able to obtain U.S. Government Secret security clearance as needed. 
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering discipline or related field plus 5 years or more professional experience. (Master's degree may be considered for 2 years of professional experience; a PhD may be considered for 2 years of professional experience). 
• Flight Software Development Experience (methodologies, best practices). 
• Matlab & Simulink Experience. 
• Understanding of systems/software engineering development lifecycle process for large scale, complex space systems.  Conversant in most, if not all, disciplines. 
• Applicants should have engineering, manufacturing, software, and testing background experience. 
• Applicant must have familiarity with aerospace industry best practices, with the demonstrated ability to select and apply commercial or government standards as needed or directed. 
• Familiarity with Jira and GitLab.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and communication skills.  
• Proficiency in MSOffice Suite including Teams, Project, and Visio. 

​ Preferred Qualifications:  

• Experienced contributor on a program with Control Moment Gyro integration. Ability and willingness to obtain up to a TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance. 
• Experience with all phases of spacecraft integration and test related activities ranging from proposal development through on orbit commissioning operations. Experience in technical execution on challenged programs.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with peers to establish new processes and improve existing processes.
• Experience working in integrated and cross-functional technology and business teams. 
• Experience in space-based imaging technologies and mission operations. 
• Experience working in a matrixed environment. 

• Experience working in transformative change environments. 
• Can operate within standard integrated testing framework and best practices. Exercises sound judgement and flexibility if business needs necessitate modifying that framework.  
• Ability to analyze, prioritize, and resolve issues independently. 
• Ability to partner effectively with both highly technical and non-technical team members and integrate that expertise into executable plans.
• Creative problem solver with sound judgment and decision-making skills. 
• Ability to facilitate swift, informed decision making at all levels of the business and technical teams. 
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and executive communication skills.  

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