GNC Engineer - Generalist

Vaya Space Job Opportunity

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.

Up to 10% travel required.

No required security clearance (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
• To comply with U.S. export regulations, such as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and the Export Administration Regulations you must (a) be a "U.S. Person" as defined under those regulations, which includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents of the U.S., and protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (b) otherwise be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce, as appropriate.

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