Flight Dynamics/GNC Engineer (7115U), Space Sciences Laboratory - #78293

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Departmental Overview

The Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) is an Organized Research Unit (ORU) of the Berkeley campus reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Research. SSL's primary goal is to foster research in space-related sciences and to provide education for the next generation of space scientists. Research at SSL, led by Berkeley faculty and SSL Senior Fellows, focuses on experiments and observations carried out in space as well as theoretical and basic research.

The Mission Operations Team at the Space Sciences Lab operates multiple NASA science spacecraft now, and is funded to operate additional ones through this decade, and beyond. In fact, later this decade we will be operating spacecraft in Low Earth orbit, Lunar Orbit, at Earth-Sun Lagrange distance, and Mars, all AT THE SAME TIME. We are looking for a new Flight Dynamics/GNC Engineer to help us with the essential products we need to (among other things) ensure that our spacecraft get to where they need, and maneuver as appropriate to collect science data for our important missions. The person we hire will provide spacecraft navigation and mission design for our existing and upcoming missions. You will work in a small and nimble team on multiple missions and proposals at once, and on a timescale where you will get to see your work's impact.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: May 27, 2025

Responsibilities

• Under supervision, provides mission operations support for ongoing projects.
• Generates and analyzes orbit and attitude determination solutions and mission planning products.
• Provides spacecraft maneuver planning, analysis, and calibrations for missions with propulsive capabilities.
• Under guidance of managers and principal investigators, designs, develops, modifies, debugs, and evaluates flight dynamics and navigation systems that are part of the multi-mission operations system and its components.
• Provides support for mission design, flight dynamics, and navigation analyses for proposals and projects in pre-launch phases, including the design and definition of related mission requirements.
• Interacts with other aerospace engineering specialists and outside collaborators to develop and maintain the flight dynamics components of the mission operations system.
• Responds to spacecraft anomalies in flight dynamics systems or assists spacecraft operators in investigating and recovering from on-orbit or ground system anomalies.
• Gathers and analyzes information and prepares reports on feasibility, flight dynamics design criteria, and performance of related products in support of formal project review processes.
• Writes, analyzes, prepares, and summarizes operational procedures and reports.

Required Qualifications

• Experience in the design, development, and navigation of spacecraft trajectories.
• Proficiency in at least one of the following: spacecraft navigation, trajectory determination, or mission design.
• Skilled in the use of Python, MATLAB, and/or IDL programming languages. Proficiency using LINUX based operating systems.
• Working systems knowledge of other engineering specialties involved in the design and development of spacecraft.
• Experience with at least one commonly used flight design tool such as Mission Analysis, Operations, and Navigation Toolkit Environment (MONTE), General Mission Analysis Tool (GMAT), Copernicus, or other related mission design and trajectory analysis software systems.

Education/Training:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to communicate, or present in a formal setting, technical information to technical and nontechnical personnel at various levels in the organization.
• Demonstrated software repository skills using SVN or GIT.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

• The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $110,000.00 - $130,000.00. The full pay scale for this job classification is $98,600.00 - $184,400.00. This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
• This is a full-time, Career position that is eligible for full UC benefits.
• This is an on-site position at the University of California, Berkeley - Space Sciences Laboratory.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Other Information

This is not a visa opportunity.

Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

The University of California's Affirmative action policy.
The University of California's Anti-Discrimination policy.