Dynamics & Controls Analysis Engineer

16 Mar 2025

Vacancy expired!

Please review the job details below.

Maxar is currently seeking an experienced Dynamics & Controls Analysis (DCA) Engineer to join our Space team in Palo Alto, CA or Westminster, CO (this role may also be performed remotely within the U.S.) The Dynamics and Controls Analysis (DCA) team members are responsible for analyzing satellite dynamics and creating the control algorithms that will become part of the flight software code. Dynamics analysis can encompass rigid body, flexible body, and multi body dynamics as appropriate to support the mission needs. The control algorithm development requires an in-depth understanding of sensor design and actuator characteristics in order to create models of each element to optimize performance, evaluate stability, and create simulations that demonstrate compliance to customer requirements.

DCA team members work as part of larger multi-disciplinary teams that include satellite system engineers, structural engineers, flight software developers, sensor and actuator manufacturers, and customers. Program activities begin at contract award with evaluation of requirements and continue through satellite launch and orbit raising to the final mission orbital location. Additional support is provided after satellite handover to customers as needed for troubleshooting or off nominal operations. Thus, DCA team member's involvement encompasses the entire life cycle of a satellite.

Life with Us

Your Projects: We are working on several exciting projects, but as one example, you may lead a team to partner with our customers like NASA to develop the Power Propulsion Element (PPE) for the Moon Gateway (Artemis) to send the first woman and the next man back to the moon. You will be responsible for new avionics software integrations, establish software platforms, conduct dynamics analyses, develop ground control software, develop spacecraft simulators, and/or drive validation & verification for all satellite software projects.

Your Career: We are very serious about professional development and continuing education at Maxar. We offer our team members with the opportunity to define their own career trajectory. Our group has amazing resources to support learning and development. You will work with your manager to set goals and design a development plan to advance your career.

What We Offer: Time for dedicated professional development, conference attendance, corporate partner and industry training, peer group collaboration, hackathons, as well as paid certifications, education reimbursement and student loan forgiveness.

What you'll do day-to-day (with your colleagues):
  • Work with a team of DCA Engineers to support a variety of satellite programs within Maxar
  • Assist other peer organizations in solving for the whole: drive greater ownership & solutioning to ensure all programs are successful
  • Perform design and analysis of satellite attitude determination and control systems
  • Perform ADCS hardware specification and modeling
  • Analyze hardware redundancy and design fault management approaches
  • Develop high fidelity six-degree of freedom single and multi-vehicle simulation
  • Implement closed loop pointing, orbit raising, and station keeping algorithms
  • Analyze platform stability to ensure low jitter of line-of-sight instruments
  • Perform Systems Analysis using first principals
  • Provide strong technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers

Minimum Requirements:
  • Must be a U.S. person
  • Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, computer science, or a related field
  • 8 years of related experience (a Master's degree may count as 2 years of experience)
  • Experience as a project lead engineer or lead design engineer
  • Experience in the field of dynamics and control analysis
  • Experience in software development in a traditional methodology
  • Experience in estimating, project-based costing, and financial accountability
  • Experienced in use of Matlab/Simulink design

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Active U.S. Government security clearance
  • MS/PhD in controls engineering, software engineering, or aerospace engineering, or a directly related field (physics, mathematics, advanced modeling and data systems)
  • Depth of knowledge in requirements management and subsequent V&V testing sequence
  • Demonstrated project or professional experience in either satellite attitude determination and control or orbit raising and station keeping
  • Experience in a Scaled Agile Framework
  • Experience with Matlab Autocode implementation on real time processors
  • Experienced in use of Matlab/Simulink design and development of tools for modeling, analysis and/or simulation of sensors, actuators, control mode, plant, and disturbances
  • Experience with flexible body control, orbital maneuvering, filtering, fault management, software development, and navigation filtering
  • Strong understanding of classical dynamics, orbital mechanics, modeling and simulation, and software development
  • Experience with cradle to grave development of three axis stabilized spacecraft incorporating momentum, magnetic, and propulsive control
  • Smallsat development experience
  • Demonstrated strong communication skills with the ability to articulate complex technical issues to peers, management, subcontractors and customers

#LI-KG1

Our salary ranges are market-driven and set to allow for flexibility. Individual pay will be competitive based on a candidate's unique set of knowledge, skills, and geographic diversity, with earnings potential commensurate with experience. The range for this position is: $116,000.00 - $194,000.00 annually.

Additionally, this position is incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and/or individual results achieved; the specific incentive plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions.

Maxar employees must follow all applicable Maxar policies and COVID-19 requirements as well as those of Maxar customers and third parties. Individual job requirements may vary, and Maxar reserves the right to modify its policies and requirements as it deems appropriate in accordance with applicable law.

Maxar Technologies values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

  • ID: #49482847
  • State: Colorado Westminster 80030 Westminster USA
  • City: Westminster
  • Salary: USD TBD TBD
  • Job type: Permanent
  • Showed: 2023-03-16
  • Deadline: 2023-05-14
  • Category: Et cetera