NASA GN&C Software Systems Engineer

SAIC is seeking a Guidance, Navigation & Control (GN&C) Systems Software Engineer to support a dynamic program based at NASA’s Katherine Johnson Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) Facility in Fairmont, WV. 

This position will require the ability to obtain a public trust clearance and all work is to be performed onsite at the NASA IV&V Facility.

Perform various Systems / Software Engineering activities in GN&C and other fields on NASA Spacecraft, Launch Vehicle, and/or Mission Ground systems throughout the NASA software development lifecycle phases. Analyses are performed of concept of operations, requirements, detailed software design, interfaces, static code results, software implementation as it relates to requirements and design, and software build and integration test products. In addition, independent testing is performed using in-house developed software simulations.

The successful candidate will have education and/or work background in various aspects of GN&C, and will be able to apply that background to the IV&V of NASA flight and ground software.  Tasking may also include various technical Safety and Mission Assurance (S&MA) activities in addition to IV&V.  With a focus on GN&C, but also in support of other engineering disciplines, the successful candidate will:

• Be responsible for utilizing documentation and experience to develop technical understanding, perform detailed assessments, and document issues, risks, and reports in accordance with standards and best practices. Documentation of technical understanding may include notes, reference summaries, charts, flow diagrams, scenarios, formal modeling, coverage / traceability assessments, risk assessments, technical engineering principles, theories, concepts, and heritage applicable to the mission. 
• Be responsible for understanding work processes and methodologies, best practices, NASA standards, system and software specifications.
• Assess development artifacts for correctness, completeness, consistency, ambiguity, and feasibility with regards to technical references when evaluating requirements, design, algorithms, code, and test artifacts provided across the software development life cycle.
• Analyze draft and final products delivered for peer reviews, development build releases, and formal testing. 
• Support development and execution of independent test scenarios and procedures to verify and validate correct implementation of mission critical capabilities.
• Utilize in-house developed Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisted analysis tools to perform various analyses and assess results for true positive findings.
• Work independently as well as closely with other members of the team to build team cohesion, brainstorm, share knowledge, develop/update approaches, perform peer reviews, and provide recommendations to promote growth and confidence in performing IV&V analyses.

Required Education: 

• Bachelors and two (2) years or more experience; Masters and 0 years related experience

Desired Education: 

• Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or other relevant field

Required Experience: 

• Minimum of 4 years of experience at the B.S. level in relevant fields
• Through education and/or work experience, have an understanding of one or more of the fields of guidance, navigation, and control, with a high-level understanding of the overall GN&C domain
• Ability to develop analysis approaches and test cases to exercise system software behaviors in the field of GN&C
• Ability to read and analyze C/C++, Java or similar object-oriented languages
• Ability to obtain a Public Trust clearance. 
• Excellence in these general workplace skills:
  • Communication Skills – verbal, written, and presentation skills.
  • Computer Skills - Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Soft Skills – professionalism, strong work ethic, creativity, curiosity, problem solving, and critical thinking
  • Ability to work on own tasks and manage own progress, while also able to work in team environments and under the direction/supervision of task leads
• Experience in one or more of the following areas would be a plus:
  • Experience with one or more of the following software fields:
    • Static code analysis (manual and/or tool-supported)
    • Software system testing, test analysis, and test case development
    • Software unit testing
    • Requirements analysis
    • Modeling, including MATLAB/Simulink, Enterprise Architect, MagicDraw
    • Spacecraft & system simulation
    • Application of Formal Methods (e.g., SMT Solver)
    • Application of Generative Artificial Intelligence to accomplish repetitive tasks 
  • Experience with space domains and spacecraft subsystems, including: 
    • Propulsion systems
    • Command and data handling
    • Fault management
    • Sensor data processing
    • State estimation
    • Spacecraft concept of operations
    • Space Flight and Ground systems and software architectures
    • Space systems avionics