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Senior Dynamics & Controls Engineer
Posted: 06/05/2026
Job Number: 1278
Pay Rate: 140,000
Job Description
Shape the Future of Human Space Exploration
Join a team of engineers supporting some of the most advanced aerospace programs in the world. This position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to the development of next-generation Human Landing Systems and spacecraft technologies that will help return humans to the Moon and pave the way for future missions to Mars and beyond.
We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Dynamics & Controls Engineer to serve as a subject matter expert in dynamics, controls, modeling, simulation, and analysis. In this role, you will provide technical leadership and engineering expertise supporting NASA programs at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. This is an opportunity to solve complex aerospace challenges, mentor the next generation of engineers, and make a lasting impact on human spaceflight.
Key Responsibilities
Huntsville, Alabama
Known as one of the nation's premier aerospace and technology hubs, Huntsville offers a thriving engineering community, exceptional quality of life, and direct involvement in some of the country's most exciting space exploration initiatives.
Join a team of engineers supporting some of the most advanced aerospace programs in the world. This position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to the development of next-generation Human Landing Systems and spacecraft technologies that will help return humans to the Moon and pave the way for future missions to Mars and beyond.
We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Dynamics & Controls Engineer to serve as a subject matter expert in dynamics, controls, modeling, simulation, and analysis. In this role, you will provide technical leadership and engineering expertise supporting NASA programs at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. This is an opportunity to solve complex aerospace challenges, mentor the next generation of engineers, and make a lasting impact on human spaceflight.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentorship to engineering teams and project stakeholders.
- Lead the development, verification, validation, and oversight of launch vehicle, spacecraft, and lunar lander control systems.
- Model, simulate, and analyze vehicle dynamics and control system performance, stability, and robustness.
- Resolve complex engineering challenges involving control systems, 6-DoF simulations, system integration, testing, and verification.
- Develop, enhance, maintain, and optimize software tools, simulations, and analytical models.
- Analyze flight data and present technical findings and recommendations to NASA leadership and stakeholders.
- Create, modify, troubleshoot, and debug models and simulations using MATLAB, Simulink, and Simscape.
- Configure, execute, and evaluate Monte Carlo simulations and statistical analyses.
- Conduct trade studies, sensitivity analyses, and performance assessments related to spacecraft and launch vehicle control systems.
- Support system design reviews, technical evaluations, and engineering decision-making activities.
- Prepare and deliver technical reports, presentations, and data visualizations.
- Develop and review engineering documentation and software artifacts.
- Mentor junior engineers in modeling, simulation, controls design, and analytical techniques.
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline from an ABET-accredited institution.
- U.S. Citizenship required.
- Minimum experience equivalent to:
- PhD with 19+ years of relevant experience; or
- Master's degree with 23+ years of relevant experience; or
- Bachelor's degree with 25+ years of relevant experience.
- Strong understanding of first-principles engineering analysis, including nonlinear equations of motion and linear state-space modeling.
- Extensive experience modeling, simulating, and analyzing launch vehicles, spacecraft, and landers.
- Expertise in time-domain analysis using parametric, Monte Carlo, and statistical techniques.
- Experience evaluating control system stability using frequency-domain methods such as Bode, Nyquist, Nichols, and Root Locus analyses.
- Demonstrated experience designing flight control systems, including PID and state-space controllers.
- Experience with actuator allocation methods including manual jet selection, pseudo-inverse approaches, and optimization techniques.
- Knowledge of spacecraft and launch vehicle subsystem modeling, including:
- Thrust Vector Control (TVC)
- Reaction Control Systems (RCS)
- Slosh dynamics
- Pogo dynamics
- Rigid-body and flexible-body dynamics
- Advanced proficiency with MATLAB, Simulink, and C/C++.
- Experience performing software development, verification, and validation activities.
- Experience conducting trade studies, sensitivity analyses, and Monte Carlo simulations related to spacecraft or launch vehicle control systems.
- Proven ability to independently lead complex technical efforts from concept through completion.
- Strong collaboration skills with geographically distributed teams, partners, and stakeholders.
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
- Demonstrated experience leading and mentoring junior engineers.
- Experience with spacecraft rendezvous, proximity operations, docking, and lunar lander systems.
- Experience modeling and simulating manual spacecraft control, including pilot modeling, controllability analysis, transfer function development, and Cooper-Harper evaluations.
- Programming experience in Python and Simscape Multibody.
- Knowledge of orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, and trajectory analysis.
- Experience developing simulation visualizations and animations using tools such as Unreal Engine, STK, or similar platforms.
- Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) or model-based design methodologies.
- Primarily office-based engineering environment.
- Collaboration with NASA personnel, contractors, and technical teams.
- Occasional domestic travel (approximately 5%).
- Extensive computer-based engineering, analysis, and documentation work.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while exercising sound engineering judgment.
- Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences.
- Regular attendance during standard business hours is required.
- Limited overtime may be necessary to support program milestones and mission objectives.
Huntsville, Alabama
Known as one of the nation's premier aerospace and technology hubs, Huntsville offers a thriving engineering community, exceptional quality of life, and direct involvement in some of the country's most exciting space exploration initiatives.