Relative Dynamics is a subcontractor supporting a Commercial Space contract. In this role, you will be employed by Relative Dynamics and assigned to work on projects in support of a Commercial Space project.
Relative Dynamics is seeking a GN&C Hardware Engineer to support the lunar mission portfolio for a Commercial Space customer. This is a hybrid role requiring regular on-site work in Houston, TX. This role is not eligible for remote work.
What You'll Get to Do: - Support the selection, specification, and integration of GN&C flight hardware, including sensors and actuators, across multiple missions.
- Develop hardware requirements and interface definitions in collaboration with GN&C, avionics, and systems engineering teams.
- Support procurement, vendor technical management, and hardware qualification activities.
- Perform hardware trade studies, performance analyses, and risk assessments.
- Support environmental testing (vibration, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC) and acceptance testing of GN&C hardware.
- Assist with hardware integration, troubleshooting, and anomaly resolution during assembly, integration, and test (AIT).
- Support GN&C hardware verification and validation activities, including test planning and execution.
- Contribute to hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and integrated system test campaigns
- Generate hardware documentation, including specifications, test procedures, and verification reports.
- Support flight readiness, mission operations preparation, and post-test/post-flight analysis as required.
What You'll Need: Required Skills & Experience - Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- Experience supporting spacecraft GN&C hardware development, integration, or test.
- Experience working with aerospace flight hardware suppliers and qualification processes.
- Familiarity with GN&C sensors and actuators such as IMUs, star trackers, sun sensors, reaction wheels, and thrusters.
- Experience with camera and lens design parameters (focal length, IFOV, FOV, etc.), camera calibration, and hardware testing.
- Understanding of spacecraft avionics architectures and hardware interfaces.
- Experience supporting environmental and functional testing of flight hardware.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and documentation skills.
- Flexible and adaptable to changing program needs and schedules.
Preferred Skills & Experience - Experience with integrated optical design and software tools (ZEMAX, etc.), multi-bounce ray-tracing tools (FRED, etc.), camera baffledesignand optimization.
- Experience with camera/optical thermal and radiation testing.
- Experience with principles of optical navigation and/or observational astronomy, including image processing as it pertains to spacecraft navigation.
Who You Are: - Effective communicator who can translate complex technical concepts across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders
- Customer-focused, with the ability to support government and agency partners while maintaining high service standards
- Dependable and accountable, consistently meeting commitments in regulated and deadline-driven environments
- Productive and results-oriented, balancing quality, efficiency, and innovation across projects
- Collaborative team player who contributes to shared goals and overall organizational success
What You'll Enjoy: - Grow your career with mobility, continuous learning, tuition reimbursement, and a personal development program in a culture that rewards innovation and impact
- Join a high-performing team that works together on meaningful, mission-driven work and support each other.
- Enjoy comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, life/disability coverage, 401(k) with match, PTO, company holidays, and community engagement opportunities
