GNC Engineer - Generalist

Summary

You will be part of a team of driven and enthusiastic professionals working to revolutionize access to space. Vaya Space is a purpose driven, sustainability focused, and environmentally conscious enterprise dedicated to making a difference for humankind.  Vaya's unique vortex-hybrid rocket is projected to disrupt the market, fueled by recycled thermoplastics, it utilizes the equivalent of 2 million discarded plastic bottles per launch. Our breakthrough and patented technologies overcome the safety, affordability, and sustainability issues to transform the space industry, making the world and space a better place.

 

To be successful, it is vital that you are comfortable working in a fast-paced and often uncertain environment, collaborating to develop innovative solutions in all areas, while demonstrating personal leadership, technical competence, and attention to detail.  A willingness to branch outside your comfort zone is essential… we’re a small fast paced company and everyone pitches in when needed.

 

Travel Required

Up to 10%

 

Required Security Clearance

None (ITAR Eligible)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design, implement, validate, and own the flight stability analysis methodology and toolset
• Analyze launch vehicle stability in the frequency domain
• Analyze Monte Carlo 6-DOF simulation results to drive launch vehicle design
• Support the derivation, design, implementation, and validation of the Dauntless autopilot
• Develop specifications and performance requirements Dauntless actuators and control hardware and validate that designs meet the specifications
• Collaborate with your GNC teammates to deliver the entire Dauntless GNC system

 

Qualifications

• B.S. Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering with 5+ years of professional GNC experience
• A solid foundation in analytical flight dynamics and orbital mechanics
• A solid foundation in modern linear feedback control
• Experience with using MATLAB & Simulink to model and evaluate autopilot performance
• Willingness to work flexible hours as necessary
• US Person as defined in 22 CFR Part 120.15 (U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees and those given asylum in the United States, and temporary residents granted amnesty) since work includes ITAR controlled technical data.

 

Preferred Skills and Education

• M.S. or Ph. D in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering with 3+ years of professional GNC experience
• Comfortable leading trade studies to select endo/exo-atmospheric guidance algorithms
• Familiar with six degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) Monte Carlo simulations for trajectory analyses
• Experience with the derivation, implementation, testing, and flight-certification of thrust vector control (TVC), engine throttling, and/or reaction control systems (RCS)
• Proficient with real-time operating systems and hardware-in-the-loop testing
• Competent with using Python for data analysis and task automation