Principal GNC Trajectory Analyst to support the
Missile Defense Agency (MDA). This position is located in Huntsville, AL.
Job Responsibilities/Duties:- Support the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Directorate for Test (DT) Targets program office with development of missile defense target vehicles.
- Support the Targets System Engineering team in all aspects of target design, analysis, and test, to include requirements development and assessment, modeling and simulation, test analysis and reporting.
- Utilize knowledge, skills, and experience with missile characteristics (physical, kinematics, signatures) and engineering to support engineering activities and data product development.
- Technical focus areas include Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC), Modeling and Simulation (M&S), and vehicle performance assessments.
- Generate and analyze target vehicle 6-DoF and 3-DoF trajectory data using industry standard (e.g., TAOS) and in-house developed (e.g., MATLAB, Python, C++) tools.
- Support flight test analysis and reporting to include analyzing vehicle onboard instrumentation data and generating trajectory reconstruction.
- Collaborate with a dynamic team of experts in multiple technical areas to develop analysis and engineering tools.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Experience:- Bachelor's degree and 20+ years working on missile defense-related or other DoD programs/projects OR a Master's degree and 12+ years working on missile defense-related or other DoD programs/projects
- Strong understanding of principles of aerodynamics; equations of motion; coordinate systems; vehicle dynamics; guidance, navigation, and control; etc.
- Experience with missile trajectory analysis to include working in different coordinate frames, endo- and exo-atmospheric behaviors, and identifying key trajectory parameters
- Knowledge of satellite orbital mechanics, ephemeris, orbit propagation, perturbations, determination, and maneuver planning
- Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, Java, C#, and other programming languages.
- Skilled in use of modeling and simulation tools (e.g., TAOS, STK).
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
- Must be a U.S. citizen and have the ability to obtain/maintain a DoW security clearance.
- Must be able to travel up to 15% of the time.
Preferred Qualifications:- Familiarity with MDA and/or DoD programs and processes.
- Experience in any or all of the following disciplines: Design, CAD, Trajectory, Radar Cross Section (RCS) Signatures, Optical Signatures.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to efficiently perform multiple tasks.
- Ability to communicate detailed technical information to technical and non-technical personnel.
Locations Huntsville, AL
