Principal GNC & Trajectory Engineer (MDA)

MDR is looking for an amazingly talented Principal GNC & Trajectory Engineer to join our team! In this role you will provide technical and advisory assistance to Targets Program Office by aiding in the refinement and implementation of Target trajectories in support of the agencies flight test events to validate the weapon and system sensors.

What Youll Be Doing:

• 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

What Required Skills Youll Bring:

• Masters degree in STEM field (e.g. physics engineering math.).
• 12 years working on missile defense-related or other DoD programs/projects
• Note: Bachelors degree in STEM field with 7 years of relevant experience may be considered
• Active DoD Secret security clearance which requires US Citizenship
• 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)

What Desired Skills Youll Bring:

• 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

Position Requirements

• Clearance Required
  • Secret
• Position Level
  • Principal
• FT/PT
  • Full Time
• Years Related Work Experience
  • 12
• Education Level Required
  • Masters

Mission Driven Research is an Equal Opportunity Employer including disability/veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability or status as a protected veteran. If you are interested in applying for employment with Mission Driven Research and need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website please contact us by email () or by phone by calling . When contacting us please provide your contact information and state the nature of your accessibility issue.

Required Experience:

Staff IC