Systems Engineer

Job Description

Title: Sr. Principal Engineer / Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer

Location: Northridge, CA

Job Summary

Use broad knowledge of vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, propulsion, classical/modern control, and estimation theory to solve difficult aerospace engineering issues. Work under broad objective-related direction from program manager. Lead others in determining best means to achieve several objectives. Make independent decisions on aerospace engineering problems and methods. Represent the organization to resolve important questions. Oversee, coordinate, and review the work of a small staff of engineers. Estimate personnel needs and schedules and assign work.

Job Responsibilities

Design guidance and flight control algorithm: guidance law, trajectory optimization, and flight vehicle autonomy; design navigation algorithm: initial alignment, strapdown propagation, INS filter, and multi-sensor data fusion; design target tracking algorithm: angle only tracking, maneuvering target tracking, multi-target tracking, and track file manager.

Define flight vehicle dynamics modeling in multiple degrees of freedom simulation architecture; define navigation, sensor, and targeting sensor modeling based on hardware specifications and test results; and define target dynamics modeling. Plan and direct modeling design and development effort.

Verify system performance from hardware-in-the-loop simulation results, ground tests, captive carry flight tests, and live fire flight tests.

Collaborate on flight vehicle system development. Leverage multi-disciplinary design, optimization, and analysis processes, tools, and efforts.

Attend and present at various engineering design reviews, test readiness reviews, and flight readiness reviews. Monitor real-time telemetry data in range control center during captive carry flight and live fire.

Required Education and Experience

BS in Aerospace Engineering & 8 years of relevant experience; or MS in Aerospace Engineering & 6 years of relevant experience; or PhD in Aerospace Engineering & 3 years of relevant experience

Active DOD Secret security clearance

Demonstrate capability in the following areas:

Design, develop, test, and evaluate Missile Guidance, Autopilot, Navigation, and Target Tracking (GNCT) algorithms.

Conduct sensitivity study and implement modeling of

High-fidelity multiple degree-of-freedom flight mechanics and vehicle dynamics simulation.

Navigation sensors: IMU, GPS, radar/laser altimeter, magnetometer, star tracker

Targeting sensors: radar, EO, IR, laser, ESM, seeker pointing, sensor management

Target dynamics: stationary, moving, and maneuvering target.

Analyze and evaluate hardware-in-the-loop simulation results, ground tests results, and flight tests results.

Preferred Education and Experience

• MS or PhD in Aerospace Engineering

• Active DOD Top Secret security clearance/SAP

• Experience in tactical missile GNCT design and flight tests

• Working knowledge of multi-discipline analysis and optimization

• Understanding of Embedded Flight Software development process

Salary Range: $104,000.00 - $203,000.00 annually

Full-time