Senior Terrain Relative Navigation Engineer (ES4)

About the role

Amentum's Space Exploration Division (ASED) Guidance, Navigation and Control (GN&C) team, which supports NASA's SLS, HLS, Artemis and related programs, is looking for a Senior Terrain Relative Navigation (TRN) Engineer. The role architects and leads high-fidelity image rendering, sensor modeling and TRN simulation for lunar and planetary missions, and optimizes Terragen and Unreal Engine rendering pipelines for in-the-loop GN&C simulation.

Key responsibilities

• Lead improvements to the TRN camera image rendering and simulation pipeline (Terragen / Unreal Engine)
• Design, configure and optimize rendering pipelines, lighting map generation and pre-rendered lighting strategies
• Provide technical leadership on lidar, laser altimeter, IMU and star tracker sensor modeling, and lidar-based TRN / HDA algorithm development and validation
• Lead 6-DOF simulation framework development, Monte Carlo analysis, navigation filter implementation and GN&C/flight software integration
• Guide software development and optimization (Python, C/C++, MATLAB/Simulink) and mentor junior engineers
• Handle direct verification, validation, documentation and briefings, and interface with GN&C leads, NASA stakeholders and multi-discipline teams

Required profile

• US citizen with a STAR IC; proof of citizenship required
• Bachelor's degree in Aeronautics & Astronautics, Aerospace Engineering or a related field (ABET accredited); Master's or PhD preferred
• Demonstrated experience leading or contributing to TRN, lidar-based TRN, optical navigation and/or HDA systems, including motion-compensated lidar scan modeling
• Experience developing high-fidelity sensor models and integrating them into 6-DOF simulation environments for lunar landers
• Proven support of flight-critical lunar lander GN&C development (CLPS, HLS or equivalent), including Monte Carlo analysis and navigation filters

Required skills

• Expert Python, C/C++ and MATLAB/Simulink
• Software and simulation integration and modeling
• Desired: Terragen, Unreal Engine, GIS, Lunar DEMs, albedo maps, EKF/SDINS navigation filters, publications on lidar-based TRN or visual odometry

What we offer

• Health, dental and vision insurance, paid time off and holidays, retirement benefits including 401(k) matching
• Educational reimbursement, parental leave, employee stock purchase plan, disability and life insurance, pet insurance
• Team Lead Academy, education reimbursement, mentoring and company-sponsored networking events