Early Career R&D Sensor Fusion, Navigation, Pointing, and Controls Engineer, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; New Mexico; On-site; USD 102,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Relocation assistance

Generous benefits

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico is seeking an Early Career R&D Engineer specializing in sensor fusion, navigation, pointing, and controls. You will develop real-time algorithms, perform estimation and Monte Carlo analyses, and implement navigation solutions for embedded flight software.

The role emphasizes applying Kalman and other filters, validating models with flight data, and collaborating across teams.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience demonstrating ability to perform independent R&D.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance.
• Graduate degree in Electrical, Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering or related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop real-time navigation and estimation algorithms from first principles.
• Analyze inertial navigation and aiding sensor performance using actual and simulated flight data.
• Integrate new sensor models and capability upgrades into flight software and analysis tools.
• Document algorithms and results through white papers and presentations.
• Collaborate with internal and external teams to meet project milestones.

Skills

Sensor fusion

Kalman filtering

Estimation theory

Real-time embedded

Navigation algorithms

Education

Bachelor's degree

Graduate degree (Electrical/Aerospace/Mechanical)

Tools

MATLAB

C/C++

GPS/GNSS

Job description

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Early Career R&D Sensor Fusion, Navigation, Pointing, and Controls Engineer, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide

Extraordinary co-workers

Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world

Career advancement and enrichment opportunities

• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*
• *These benefits vary by job classification.

Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

*These benefits vary by job classification.

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated engineer with a strong background in control theory, estimation, sensor fusion and vehicle navigation technologies. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in applying advanced techniques in estimation theory and Monte Carlo methods to develop, evaluate and enhance real-time Navigation, Pointing, and Control (NPC) systems. They will have a deep understanding of filter design and implementation, along with a proven ability to derive and develop algorithms that solve complex engineering challenges of national security significance.

On any given day you may be called upon to:

Develop innovative Navigation and Estimation algorithms from first principles to improve modeling and simulation analysis tools and real-time embedded flight software

Perform analysis to assess the performance of inertial navigation systems and aiding sensors using data from both actual and simulated flight tests across a variety of vehicle platforms

Integrate new sensor models, interfaces, and other capability upgrades into flight software and analysis software tools while adhering to modern software development practices and standards

Develop control and pointing algorithms verifying required performance in simulation and real-time hardware implementations

Document algorithms, software, and analysis results through white papers, presentations, and other technical deliverables

Collaborate and coordinate with internal and external organizations and team members to execute project tasks and milestones

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required to work onsite. Relocation provided for those that qualify.

Salary Range:

$102,400 - $199,700

*Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

Qualifications We Require:

A bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline or an equivalent combination of directly relevant education and engineering or scientific experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform independent research and development.

Ability to be obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance

Qualifications We Desire:

The ideal R&D S&E Electrical Engineer candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

Graduate degree in Electrical, Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).

Ability to work independently and collaborate well in a multidisciplinary team of designers and test engineers.

Outstanding verbal and written skills, including the ability to develop and present briefings that are clear and compelling.

Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with experience in the following areas:

Demonstrated knowledge of sensor fusion and robust filtering techniques, particularly Kalman Filters, information filters, particle filters, and multivariable multiplicative state estimation

Experience with batch estimation and post-processing techniques for state and parameter estimation, including formulating and solving inverse problems using optimization and least-squares methods

Understanding of six degrees of freedom (6-DOF) dynamic modeling and analysis, including both translational and rotational motion, with the ability to derive dynamic equations of motion from first principles.

Proficiency in signal processing and navigation sensor technologies, including filtering, spectral analysis, noise reduction, sensor data conditioning, inertial navigation, IMU sensor technology, GPS/GNSS principles, and associated signal processing methods

Experience with vehicle trajectory and navigation analysis methods, including uncertainty quantification techniques such as covariance analysis and Monte Carlo simulations to assess system performance and robustness

Proficiency in modeling and simulating aerospace and dynamic systems using MATLAB for analysis and algorithm development, and C/C++ for real-time implementation and deployment of navigation and control algorithms in embedded systems

Demonstrated knowledge of object-oriented programming principles and modern software development practices, including test-driven development (TDD), unit testing, continuous integration, and requirements verification

Knowledge of Global Positioning System (GPS) and other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) technologies, principles, and signal processing techniques.

Experience with navigation sensor hardware interfaces, data acquisition, and analysis, including GPS/GNSS, odometers, altimeters, IMUs, cameras, LIDAR, and radio frequency beacons

Experience with developing, implementing, and testing control algorithms on electromechanical systems.

Experience with aiding sensor technologies and techniques for navigation in GNSS-degraded or denied environments, including synthetic aperture radar (SAR), signals of opportunity, multi-GNSS integration, and other alternative positioning methods

Experience incorporating machine learning and deep learning techniques to enhance navigation applications, including sensor fusion, anomaly detection, and adaptive control algorithms

Demonstrated experience in deriving and implementing numerical algorithms and performing quantitative engineering analysis.

Excellent technical communication, writing, and presentation skills, including the ability to use visual graphs and figures to illustrate complex engineering analysis.

Skilled at collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary teams to meet project constraints and deadlines while fostering a productive and team-oriented work environment

Proven ability to work independently to solve complex technical problems and drive projects to successful completion

Experience mentoring and leading others, particularly in technical project development teams.

About Our Team:

The 5322 Pathfinder Navigation, Pointing, and Control (NPC) Department develops advanced real-time NPC solutions for challenging and extreme environments in support of projects critical to U.S. national security. We collaborate across Sandia National Laboratories, supporting efforts in modeling and simulation, sensor characterization, GPS-denied and degraded navigation, trajectory reconstruction, and avionics/electro-mechanical system integration.

Posting Duration:

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Security Clearance:

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

EEO:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs:

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.