Engineer Senior Principal – Systems – Guidance, Navigation, and Controls (GN&C)

Location: Boulder, Colorado, United States

Category: Engineering & Technology

Employment Type: Full-Time

Job Description

This position is for an engineer who can lead a team to develop and test guidance, navigation, & control systems from preliminary design through flight for space programs.

The Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit comprises the technical talent and organizational leadership that enables the successful delivery of high-impact discriminating technologies for our customers’ missions. Our collaborative, cross-functional teams are committed to innovation, integrity, continual learning and strong execution.

What You’ll Do:

• Perform Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) Engineering tasks throughout the lifecycle of programs or Research & Development (R&D) projects.
• Develop, understand and refine requirements for: attitude knowledge and pointing, agility, line-of-sight stability, orbit position knowledge, delta-v accuracy, and payload sun avoidance.
• Provide analyses in the form of released documents: attitude knowledge and pointing budget, orbit determination and trajectory budget, agility analysis, maneuver settling, component selection & placement, emergency mode, dynamics & control system stability.
• Understand GN&C component interfaces.
• Support the development, test and evaluation of hardware, software, support equipment and systems as required for GN&C.
• Support program from new business to flight including proposal support, concept development with trades; design of the GN&C; procurement; integration & test (I&T) of the GN&C; and on-orbit technical support for the GN&C.
• Clearly and thoroughly document the GN&C approach in Systems Engineering Reports, including detailed description of technical designs and applicable BAE Systems philosophy.
• Prepare and give presentations to peers, management and customers.
• Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

On-Site Work Environment: This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site three or more days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office, laboratory, production floor, or cleanroom, outdoors or remote research environment.
• May occasionally work in production work centers where use of protective equipment and gear is required.
• May access other facilities in various weather conditions.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 8 or more years related experience.
• Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master’s Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience. Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
• A current, active TS/SCI security clearance is required with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI Polygraph.
• A desire to learn and ask questions - our culture fosters intellectual curiosity in a highly collaborative environment.
• Superb writing and presentation skills.
• Goal oriented with excellent organizational skills, a team mindset, and capable of coming up to speed quickly on assigned programs.

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Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field plus 12 or more years related experience is preferred.
• Experience in Guidance, Navigation, Control (GNC), Attitude Determination & Control Subsystem (ADCS), Dynamics & Control Systems, or related space vehicle systems preferred.
• Advanced computer application skills, such as Python, MATLAB, Simulink, and other analytical tools preferred.
• Experience with simulator/hardware test development and execution, as well as mission operations preferred.
• A current, active Top Secret/SCI w/ Polygraph security clearance is preferred.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $132962 - $226035

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.


About BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.

Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.