Guidance, Navigation & Controls Systems Engineering Manager

Maxar Space Systems is currently seeking a Guidance, Navigation, & Control (GNC) Systems Manager to join our team in Palo Alto, CA. This is a management position reporting up to the Director of GNC Systems Engineering and is responsible for the end-to-end scope of the Guidance, Navigation, & Control (GNC) System.

In this role, you will be responsible for managing a team of GNC engineers in attitude control engineering, control mode algorithm development, spacecraft dynamics analysis, mission analysis and orbit dynamics. You will also be required to provide direct program support to a particular program with emphasis on maximizing continuity on the program. You will be responsible for assisting in new avionics software integrations, establishing software platforms, conducting dynamics analyses, developing ground control software, developing spacecraft simulators, and/or driving validation & verification for all satellite software projects.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual with strong team leadership skills who is interested in helping the team develop, leading and maintaining best schedule & project management practices. The individual must possess excellent interpersonal skills, communicate well, influence effectively, and be comfortable in a highly fluid/ambiguous environment striving for excellence with high integrity. The ideal candidate has a passion for satellite & space designs, product development, and test with a strong curiosity to grow from continuous learning.

Responsibilities:

• Manage a team of GNC engineers to support a variety of satellite programs within Maxar Space Systems
• Grow and shape the team, expand skill sets and deepen bench strengths to meet anticipated program needs and support company objectives
• Contribute shoulder-to-shoulder with team members where gaps are identified
• Bring a system engineering mindset and approach to team with emphasis on documentation of processes, clear validation & verification practices, and effective decision-making
• Provide leadership for your team including task & resource planning, budgeting, project overview, peer reviews, risk management, metrics definition, and process compliance for all assigned development tasks
• Provide talent management including staffing, recruiting, promotions, retention, recognition, performance management and development of a world class team capable of executing on existing and development spacecraft programs
• Provide programmatic and proposal support, technical consultation, and direction on programs
• Assist other peer organizations in solving for the whole: drive greater ownership & solutioning to ensure all programs are successful
• Maintain contracts and purchase orders for subcontractors and tools

Requirements:

• Must be a US person
• BS degree in Engineering discipline; A master’s degree will be considered in lieu of 2 years of professional experience
• Requires a minimum of 10 years of professional experience
• Minimum of 5 years as a project lead engineer or lead design engineer
• Experience as GNC lead on a spacecraft system

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with mission analysis, controls analysis, orbital dynamics and/or ACS systems
• Experience leading development programs with full requirements traceability within an Agile project management environment
• Mission operations experience with skills in facilitation, issue resolution and decision making across functions in a highly complex & ambiguous environment
• Positive, collaborative, can-do approach to leadership
• Interpersonal savvy which enables candidate to quickly build leadership credibility with team members with diverse backgrounds and skill sets, to identify opportunities to align assignments to individual interests facilitating personal growth for team members when possible, and to advocate for team members’ interests when they align with project success
• Listening ability: able to hear what is said, understand, communicate, and engage
• Able to Influence others: decision-making, negotiation, persuasion, problem-solving, and trust/credibility building
• Must be comfortable interacting with senior leadership, program executives, & customers
• Passion for satellite and space system product development, integration, manufacturing, and test
• Active US government security clearance is a plus

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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:
$158,000.00 – $262,000.00 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.