Spacecraft Attitude Control Engineer

Job Description

Description

SAIC is 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. The following tasks are representative of those that will be accomplished at the request of the customer:

• 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 a STEM field. Background in astrodynamics analysis preferred.
• 5+ years professional experience.
• Experienced in the design & integration of satellite buses.
• Knowledgeable of launch & flight operations of space vehicles.
• Knowledge of attitude control related hardware, manufacture and test to include control moment gyroscopes, star trackers, torque rods, thrusters, and moving mechanical actuators.
• In-depth knowledge of astrodynamics applications (eg orbit determination, orbit maintenance, orbit design) such as Matlab/Simulink, STK, and Python. Knowledge of NASTRAN, nice to have. 
• Knowledge of satellite attitude control algorithms (eg Kalman filter based attitude determination, Control Moment Gyroscope steering algorithms, multi-body dynamics, controls-structures interactions).

Overview

SAIC® is a premier Fortune 500® technology integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian and intelligence markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.

We are approximately 24,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, fostering a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion, which is core to our values and important to attract and retain exceptional talent. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.4 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.