Spacecraft Attitude Control Systems Engineer Chantilly, VA
Who We Are Aurex is a mission-focused aerospace and defense company building the next frontier of deterrence. From hypersonics and missile defense to hardened networks and orbital systems, we design, test, and deliver the platforms that turn unproven ideas into battlefield-ready capability.
Born in Huntsville and built for speed, Aurex brings together aerospace veterans, combat-tested operators, and forward-leaning technologists to solve problems that matter, fast. We move from whiteboard to warfighter with precision, clarity, and zero tolerance for fluff.
Position Summary Seeking an engineer with technical expertise in Spacecraft Attitude Control Systems to support the Vehicle Engineering Branch with the Space and Launch (S&L) Division. S&L provides technical and programmatic support to coordinate and execute acquisition, vehicle engineering, adjunct payload accommodation, and integration, test and launch functions for spacecraft and adjunct payloads. The position will be located in Chantilly, VA and requires an active TS/SCI with Polygraph.
In this role, you will be an integral participant in subsystem analysis, architecture, requirements development and verification of Attitude Control Systems. Key areas of focus include control theory systems engineering, review of contractor designs, and evaluation of operating modes. Furthermore, this role requires a background in astrodynamics analysis such as orbit design and orbit-attitude interaction
Key Responsibilities The following tasks are representative of those that will be accomplished at the request of the customer:
- Knowledge of satellite attitude control algorithms (eg Kalman filter based attitude determination, Control Moment Gyroscope steering algorithms, multi-body dynamics, controls-structures interactions)
- Knowledge of astrodynamics applications (eg orbit determination, orbit maintenance, orbit design)
- Knowledge of attitude control hardware requirements, manufacture and test to include control moment gyroscopes, star trackers, torque rods, thrusters, and moving mechanical actuators
- Support the customer in the design, integration and test of the ACS subsystem
- Review and coordinate on all changes to specifications, lCDs and system-level requirements documentation for the ACS subsystem
- Provide expert advice/analysis on ACS considerations for new satellite/payload developments
- Coordinate with bus development POC, S&L subsystem leads, branch chiefs and division chiefs
- Provide technical evaluation of ACS efforts in contractor Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs)
- ldentify and assess emerging risks; develop and evaluate proposed burn-down plans
- Provide expert advice/analysis on accommodation considerations for new satellite/payload developments
- Review prime contractor readiness to proceed into spacecraft manufacturing and test
- Support factory integration and test activities as needed
- Provide support to launch and satellite on-orbit test as needed
- Attend contractor milestone reviews (e.g. PDR, CDR, pre-test, pre-ship and other meetings) to provide technically based recommendations regarding satisfaction of review entrance and exit criteria
- Attend system-level design reviews, and program management reviews to assess design maturity, requirements compliance and to provide informed technical recommendations to the USG
- Attend Vehicle Engineering branch meetings
- Support the customer in the review of financial and earned value reports
- Develop productive relationships with prime contractor counterparts, functional counterparts, and other spacecraft subsystem subject matter experts
Qualifications - Active TS/SCI with Polygraph
- Bachelors Degree in Aerospace, Astronautical, or Mechanical Engineering
- 10-15 years professional experience
- Experience in the design & integration of satellite buses
- Knowledgeable of launch & flight operations of space vehicles
- Working knowledge of control theory, reaction wheel/control moment gyro, star sensor/tracker, inertial reference units/sensors, sun sensor, magnetic torque rod, GPS receiver, and control algorithm development.
- Strong understanding of attitude control related hardware
- In depth knowledge of Matlab/Simulink, STK, and Python
- Knowledge of NASTRAN useful
How You Will Be Rewarded The salary range for this role is $180,000 - $220.000 annually. We offer a comprehensive total rewards approach to compensation, providing incentives and benefits that extend far beyond the base salary. Compensation is determined by the candidate's work experience, education, training, and relevant skills. We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support our employees health, well-being, and professional growth.
Aurex is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It prohibits discrimination, retaliation, or any type of harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, citizenship, immigration status, or any other legally protected status in employment, including in hiring, firing, and recruiting decisions. All applicants must be authorized to work lawfully in the United States for positions at Aurex. There may be limited circumstances in which a law, regulation, executive order, or government contract would require certain citizenship; only in those limited circumstances would Aurex require certain citizenship status to comply with the relevant law, regulation, executive order, or government contractual obligation. For all other positions, Aurex does not consider an applicant's citizenship but only requires the applicant to be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. If a position is one that falls under export control laws and regulations requiring authorization from the U.S. government to access export-controlled items, any hiring is contingent on the applicant passing the export compliance assessment, which is separate from the I-9 process, for that specific position. A background check will be required prior to any hire.
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