Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer, Staff - E4

Standard Job Description

We are seeking an experienced engineer who is an subject matter expert in Guidance and Control (GNC) to join a highly skilled team of systems engineering technologists and algorithm developers supporting various contracts and IRADs within Missiles and Fire Control. The engineer designs, develops, implements, verifies and tests algorithms that perform guidance, navigation and control of aircraft, spacecraft, launch vehicles and upper stages during powered and coast phases of flight, earth orbit, interplanetary cruise and orbital insertion, as well as during staging events. Navigation functions include the statistical processing of measured data points and their substitution into algorithms simulating physical reality. Guidance functions include the formulation of specific equations and control laws to achieve a desired position in space. Control design and analyses processes consist of the development of the control requirements for aircraft, launch vehicles and/or spacecraft.

The typical GNC Engineer should show:

• KNOWLEDGE - Actively contributes to the development of new concepts. Possesses full knowledge of industry and company practices, demonstrating expertise in the field and related disciplines.
• COMPLEXITY - Develops innovative solutions to a range of complex problems that are consistent with organizational objectives. Works without direction. Work is reviewed upon completion and is consistent with departmental objectives.
• IMPACT - Guides major projects to completion and may function in leadership role. Decisions are long-lasting and heavily influences the organization. Engages with senior personnel on significant matters.

Typical GNC Engineer tasks may include:

• Design, develop, test, and verify embedded algorithms that perform inertial tracking, inertial navigation and/or sensor fusion
• Develop, validate, and test complex models & simulations that utilize Kalman filters, discrimination algorithms, & other techniques to track and discriminate targets of interest.
• Evaluate and analyze system performance in complex scenarios and environments and verify system and subsystem level requirements
• Perform critical studies, analyses, and test activities that support ground and flight test efforts including Hardware-In-The-Loop (HWIL) activities
• Opportunities will exist to join or lead teams of engineers and algorithm developers on a variety of different programs that are in various stages of product development.
• As a SME, candidate will support program reviews and technical interchange meetings with internal leadership and/or external customers

Basic Qualifications

• BS in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, computer science, applied mathematics, or similar STEM degree and 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Interim Clearance is needed to start, therefore you must be a US Citizen.

• Shall be fluent in the following languages:
• MATLAB, python, C++

• Shall have experience solving problems and relevant algorithm development in 6 or more of the GNC sub-domains mentioned below (Can be all in one domain or across Nav and Inertial tracking)
  • Navigation: inertial navigation, covariance analysis, GNC performance modelling, advanced GPS signal processing techniques, transfer alignment with a host platform, boresight/calibration modeling and estimation, strapdown navigation, attitude and velocity keeping, inertial sensor selection and performance modelling
  • Inertial Tracking: extended and unscented Kalman filtering, non-linear state estimation, inertial attitude and line-of-sight estimation, multi-hypothesis tracking, multi-sensor fusion, multi-hypothesis tracking, Bayesian inference, angle-only tracking, feature-aided tracking, image tracking, Gaussian mixture models, information filtering, particle filtering, passive sensing and stereo tracking, integrated multi-model tracking, low-SNR target tracking

• Should show a solid foundation of math skills in the areas of:

• • linear algebra, matrix math, statistics, coordinate frame transformations, state estimation techniques

• Shall be proficient in validating C++ algorithm simulations and hardware models with real-time data collections
• Shall be proficient in implementing and debugging GNC algorithms running in a real-time processing environments
• Have knowledge of electro-optic phenomenology and optical system analysis as it applies to GNC.
• Have knowledge and experience with Modelling and Simulation of GNC systems

Desired Skills

• Active Secret /Top Secret Clearance
• Ability to perform preflight system performance assessment and post flight verification analyses
• Have strong programming skills that can translate to C++ in a Linux environment
• Relevant experience deploying algorithms that satisfy real-time performance requirements