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Decatur, Alabama, United States
Onsite
The HLS Navigation Aerospace Engineer models the navigation systems of the Human Lander System (HLS) for NASA’s HLS program. From sensor fusion and sensor model development to descent dynamics and visualization, this position will require a well-rounded background of navigation skills, experience with computer programming, and the desire to perform high fidelity analyses to ensure successful navigation and landing of the HLS systems.
Description
The Amentum Space Exploration Division (ASED) Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) team is a high performing group executing challenging tasks to design and integrate GN&C systems for NASA projects ranging from NASA’s Space Launch System(SLS) to NASA’s Human Lander System. We are searching for highly qualified candidates to support NASA’s Flight Dynamics Team in the Guidance, Navigation, & Mission Analysis branch at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. This exciting work will serve as a critical step in sending humans back to the Moon, Mars and beyond!
ASED offers a partnership in which you can grow personally and professionally within a framework of strong leadership, competitive compensation, and rewarding career paths. Come join our team!
Job Functions:
Participate in the insight/oversight effort of the MSFC HLS GNC group with regards to all aspects of the navigation system
Assist with Modeling and Simulation efforts to analyze the landing performance of HLS descent trajectories to the surface of the Moon
Lead efforts to integrate all relevant models into a MATLAB/Simulink 6-DoF simulation, including Terrain Relative Navigation (TRN), Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), Radar, Lidar, and Camera sensor models
Tune, modify, and enhance Kalman Filter sensor fusion capabilities and assess limitations of various partner approaches
Perform trade studies to assess navigation performance under dispersed model parameters to assess uncertainty, and evaluate navigation margins for government Design Reference Missions and government partners
Assess partner test data and partner sensors and models
Communicate directly with partners about the risks of their design and provide constructive feedback on possible improvements
Tasking may also include use or development of visualization tools of landing sites to aid navigation analysis.
Execute/modify existing software/scripts in Python, Matlab, Fortran, C++
Provide demonstrated (minimum of 4 years) expertise to support the Human Landing Systems (HLS) program navigation team as part of the Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) discipline. Specifically, this task will entail deep technical analysis as part of a team of navigation engineers helping model HLS descent trajectories to the surface of the Moon. Programming skills and mentoring abilities are highly desired.
Qualifications
A degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or related field from an ABET accredited institution is required. Typical experience requirements are the equivalent of a Masters with at least 3 years of experience, or BS with at least 5 years of experience.
To be successful in this position, the applicant must be detail oriented, work independently and collaboratively, possess strong communication and interpersonal skills, and will typically possess some of the following skills:
Extensive navigation experience
Modeling and Simulation Integration experience
Radar and LIDAR experience
Terrain Relative Navigation experience
Dynamically model descent systems
Design of Experiments experience
Python, Fortran, C++ programming experience
Familiarity with Linux, Bash, and the use of computational clusters/servers
Support the design, integration, and analysis of GN&C products.
Configure, conduct, and analyze 6-DOF Monte Carlo simulations.
The candidate is REQUIRED to have the following skills and experiences:
Matlab & Simulink experience
Sensor fusion and Kalman Filtering experience relating to either onboard strap-on navigation (e.g. IMU, Radar/Lidar, TRN) OR deep space navigation (e.g. ground tracking orbit determination)
US Citizen and STAR ID
Duties
Day to day activities include:
Participation in the HLS navigation team’s modeling and simulation of HLS descent, including simulation integration, visualization, analysis, and trade studies
Interfacing with commercial HLS partners and other NASA centers
Debriefs to HLS partners and HLS Chief Engineers
Dynamic modeling descent trajectory of HLS
Creating, editing and debugging software written in Matlab/Simulink, Python, Fortran, and C/C++.
Optimization and improvement of analysis tools and GN&C models.
Working with GN&C leads and other engineering disciplines.
Supporting the verification and validation of technical products.
Creation and review of engineering and software documentation.
Preparing and Presenting technical reports and briefings.
Essential Functions
Work Environment:
Office environment. Requires ability to provide clear, concise, accurate and timely communication, both verbally and in writing (100%). Requires ability to interact professionally with co-workers, management, and client (100%). Requires travel in the domestic USA (5%). Requires ability to work at a computer for long periods of time (100%).
Physical Requirements:
Requires sitting for extended periods of time in meetings with peers, management, and with our client at NASA facilities to discuss technical issues (10%). Also, requires sitting for extended periods of time at a desk to write reports and perform engineering tasks (80%). Requires ability to use stairs or elevators for access between floors and multiple buildings at NASA and our facilities (10%).
Equipment and Machines:
Requires ability to operate a personal computer, a telephone, fax machine, copier, calculator, and other general office equipment (100%).
Attendance:
Normal workday 7:30-4:30, Monday thru Friday. Minimal overtime may be required (10%) to meet schedule milestones and to support technical demands of the job. Regular attendance is a necessity, and adequate arrangements for delegating duties during absences are required.
Other Essential Functions:
The ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and to make rational decisions, and to exercise good judgment is essential (100%). Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.
Proof of U.S. Citizenship is required.
#ESSCA #ASED
Compensation Details:
ES3-5
The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.
Benefits Overview:
Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Paid time off and holidays
Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)
Educational reimbursement
Parental leave
Employee stock purchase plan
Tax-saving options
Disability and life insurance
Pet insurance
Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.
Original Posting:
04/28/2026 - Until FilledAmentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.
Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.
