Guidance Navigation and Control Engineer

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world's leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies.

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) is a supplier of advanced electromagnetic systems, related power equipment and other high technology products for a variety of government and commercial applications. These include products such as the design and fabrication of linear motors, superconducting and conventional rotating motors, power inverters, high-energy capacitors, radiation monitoring systems, high-voltage direct current power distribution systems, and numerous other products.

We have an exciting opportunity in our Aerospace Systems Engineering Directorate. This full-time position for a Guidance, Navigation and Control engineer is located at our Longmont, CO site and will work closely with GA-EMS personnel located in Huntsville, AL, Rancho Bernardo, CA, Denver, CO, and Fredericksburg, VA. This position will provide technical expertise for precision munition and space vehicle guidance, navigation and control algorithm design and subsystem development, simulation modeling, and detailed analyses for one or more weapon or space system projects.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBITIES:

• Develops guidance, navigation and/or control algorithms and implements them in six degree-of-freedom flight simulations written in C/C++ and FORTRAN.
• Supports development of precision munitions such as guided missiles, gun-launched projectiles, and hypersonic weapon systems.
• Supports development of attitude determination and control systems for spacecraft.
• Analyzes simulation, ground test, and flight test data in support of simulation model validation and algorithm improvements.
• Is mentored by Senior Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) engineers on complex development efforts.
• Supports simulation development and documentation using GA-EMS guidelines and best industry practices.
• Develop and present briefing materials for design reviews.
• Support peer reviews of GNC algorithms, simulation models, analysis tools, and other software modules as required.
• Facilitate rapid resolution of delays that impact simulation and analysis tasks including real-time, thorough communication with task leads, program management and other leadership is required.
• Collaborate daily with GA and customer engineering and program management teams.
• Support development of GNC related data deliverables.
• Support concept development activities and creation of proposals and technical white papers.
• Perform other duties as required.
• Travel Expectations is less than 20%
• We operate on a 9x80 schedule with every other Friday off.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelor's or master's degree or PhD in mechanical, electrical, or aerospace engineering with an emphasis on application of guidance, navigation, and control techniques from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; six or more years of experience with a bachelor's degree, four or more years of experience with a master's degree, or two or more years of experience with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Must have a thorough understanding of guidance, navigation, and control concepts and principles.
• Strong experience in various control, navigation and guidance algorithms for all phases of atmospheric flight and orbit is required.
• Prior experience with developing and using high fidelity flight simulations of missiles, projectiles, hypersonic vehicles, or satellites is required.
• Must demonstrate strong programming and analysis capability in multiple languages such as FORTRAN, C/C++, Matlab, and Python.
• Must possess the ability to develop and communicate new concepts; apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment; organize, schedule, and coordinate work phases; and, determine the appropriate approach at the task level or, with assistance, at the project level to provide solutions to a range of complex problems.
• Must have strong communication, computer, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills, ability to work independently and as part of a team; able to perform complex tasks in one or more engineering areas.
• Must have an active Department of Defense (DoD) Secret level security clearance, with the ability to upgrade to Top Secret if required.
• Able to work extended hours as required.
• Must be willing to work extended hours to meet deadlines and increase probability of project success.
• Must be customer focused and able to work on a self-initiated basis or in a team environment and able to work extended hours and travel as required.
• Success in position requires consistent display of the following key abilities:
  • Strong initiative - Ability and desire to work closely with a small to medium sized multi-disciplinary team to rapidly develop and mature a new weapon system.
  • Excellent communication - The successful candidate will routinely document, develop, and present technical briefings, reports, and other documentation so that stakeholders across the organization readily understand the content and their related actions.
  • Rapid and effective problem solving - The successful candidate will identify issues, analyze and interpret data and develop innovative solutions to a variety of complex problems.
  • Schedule performance - influencing and collaborating across the organization to result in contract schedule success.

Desired Job Qualifications:

• Experience with developing GN&C solutions for gun-launched guided projectiles that operate in severe environments is strongly desired.
• Experience with Software-In-The-Loop (SWIL) and Hardware-In-The-Loop (HWIL) simulation and testing is strongly desired.
• Experience with implementing and testing autonomy, collaborative engagement, artificial intelligence, and machine learning algorithms is desired.