Senior Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability. 

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

We have an opening for a Senior Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Engineer to support work on projects and initiatives with a focus on U.S. national security. You will be a member of an engineering team that will provide space mission engineering solutions for both national security and basic science investigations with sponsors including NASA, Department of Energy (DOE), Department of War (DOW) and other government agencies. As an engineering team member, you will work on all aspects of space system hardware – from design and analysis to assembly, integration and test. This position is in the National Security Engineering Division (NSED) within the Engineering Directorate at LLNL and matrixed to the Space Science & Security Program.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will

• Contribute to a team of scientists and engineers who develop technical proposals for spacecraft missions that involve system-level trade studies involving orbital mechanics, attitude determination sensors, attitude control actuators, navigation considerations, and Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) testing.
• Apply linear/matrix algebra for complex analysis and reports.
• Contribute to mission planning efforts including design and analysis of GNC subsystem concepts of operation needed to meet mission requirements.
• Perform mission analysis including the orbits of potential missions.
• Develop or review attitude control, attitude determination and navigation requirements for proposed missions.
• Develop or review test plans and risk mitigation strategies for GNC hardware and software for proposed missions.
• Take ambiguously defined direction consisting of complex problems and deliver useful tools and products.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.4 level

• Serve as a subject matter expert and apply highly advanced engineering solutions and technical analysis to resolve highly complex technical and programmatic issues.
• Develop innovative methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria to obtain results based on in-depth analysis of multiple tangible and intangible factors.
• Set broad research/project vision and provide strategic technical and consultative direction and advice to small teams and management and work as a primary technical contact on multidisciplinary teams.  May act as the prime consultant on large projects that affect the organization's long-term goals and objectives.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship. Also, you must have the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.  Please note that your current active Q or Top Secret clearance with DOE or another agency does not guarantee DOE SCI access approval; if you are denied access, you may be subject to reinvestigation of your existing Q or Top Secret clearance.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguous or undefined directions, identify key objectives, and deliver high-quality, impactful products or solutions.
• Significant experience with GNC subsystem development/analysis, test and/or operations.
• Advanced knowledge in performing dynamics and/or controls system design/optimization and/or analysis tasks using MATLAB/SIMULINK tools or Python.
• Significant experience with life cycle of a space program from Requirements through Integration & Test and Verification.
• Significant experience and ability to take initiative, proactively identify opportunities or challenges, and independently drive projects or tasks to successful completion.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information and provide advice to management.
• Significant experience with orbit determination and analysis

Additional qualifications at the SES.4 level

• Subject matter expert knowledge of highly advanced concepts related to aerospace and/or spacecraft engineering.
• Significant experience and demonstrated track record of success developing and implementing creative solutions to a diverse range of highly complex multi-disciplinary problems and leading corrective actions where necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple parallel tasks, often requiring the resolution of conflicting work requirements and prioritization of tasks toward predetermined long-range targets.

Qualifications We Desire 

• Master’s or PhD degree in aeronautical/aerospace engineering or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Active Q or Top Secret security clearance.
• Experience in simulation/modelling of dynamic systems. 
• Experience with Satellite Rendezvous Proximity Operations or with satellite recovery operations and system failure analysis.
• Significant experience with design/analysis software such as AGI STK, SSAPy, Battleschool or AFSIM; or with machine learning/reinforcement learning techniques and with LINUX/UNIX operating systems.

Pay Range

$175,530 - $267,060 Annually

$175,530 - $222,564 Annually for the SES.3 level

$210.630 - $267,060 Annually for the SES.4 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  Also, you must have the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

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To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

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