Lead GNC Engineer - Top Secret Clearance
SpaceX
SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
LEAD GNC ENGINEER - TOP SECRET CLEARANCE
You will be responsible for leading a team of GNC engineers to design and implement physics-based system-of-systems simulation software, capable of capturing complex interactions between a wide variety of space vehicles, ground systems, and environments. You and your team will develop space mission CONOPS and drive program-level requirements of revolutionary capabilities in space. In this, you will lead CONOPS development and drive program-level requirements to meet mission goals. You will also develop algorithms, author operator decision tools, and mission workflows. These will be used in the planning for and operation of SpaceX vehicles in space, ensuring the successful execution of these missions. This is a high-impact role in which you will work across engineering groups, taking extreme ownership of critical trades and design decisions. We are looking for engineers who enjoy solving complex problems, can work effectively in a fast-paced environment, and are passionate about advancing the space industry.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead and mentor a team of GNC engineers, focused on system-of-systems CONOPS analysis, hardware trade studies, sensor fusion algorithms, mission workflow development, and operational decision tool design, to be executed during in-space demos and missions. This role spans both ground & space-based algorithms and software.
- Develop and train direct reports to enable extreme ownership and empowered decision making
- Build software tools and construct scenarios to perform system-of-systems performance analysis of architectures that include space vehicles, satellites, sensors, communications, and ground infrastructure. Produce high quality analysis outputs and recommend design decisions
- Lead the development of operational decision tools and mission workflows to be executed during in-space missions
- Lead the team of GNC engineers during flight tests and missions, supporting operations
- Create a library of system models of space and ground systems, for inclusion in the simulation environment
- Leverage and expand SpaceX tools to analyze system-of-systems performance and design concepts of operations
- Act as cross-disciplinary expert, ensuring that the system can meet mission objectives
- Communicate technical capabilities and analyses with internal stakeholders and external customers
- Play an integral part of a small team that will continuously iterate on mission design through all phases of the program
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or physics
- 5+ years of professional experience with modeling and simulation
- 3+ years of professional experience with software languages Python or C++ (C++14 and above)
- 1+ years of prior leadership experience leading teams, projects, and people
- Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Demonstrated experience with writing scalable software in a team setting
- Master's degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline
- Demonstrated experience successfully leading a team of engineers.
- Demonstrated experience in developing state estimation algorithms
- Demonstrated experience in developing and presenting compelling analyses of complex trades to senior corporate and US Government decision makers
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
- Capability to solve complex problems with little to no supervision on schedule as an individual or as a member of an integrated team
- Passion for advancing the commercial space industry
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to meet mission-critical deadlines
- Willing to travel at least 10% of the time, to vendors, customers, or domestics/international ground sites.
- An active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions; if so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Lead GNC Engineer: $160,000.00 - $220,000.00/per year
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.