Engineer - Vehicle Flight Control & Inertial Navigation Systems

Penn State University; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University's Applied Research Laboratory seeks a Dynamics and Controls Engineer for the Vehicle Control and Dynamics Department. On-site in State College, you will develop flight control requirements, build 6DoF models, and implement control algorithms for undersea vehicles with SIL testing in Matlab/Simulink.

You will validate NAV/INS algorithms, support lab and field tests, and contribute to documentation, reporting, and knowledge sharing within a DoD-focused research environment.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in Matlab/Simulink, C or C++ is required.
• Experience with network and serial communications.
• Familiarity with software configuration management systems (e.g., Git).

Responsibilities

• Develop and analyze flight control system requirements and perform design trade studies.
• Create, validate, and maintain 6DoF dynamic models for undersea vehicles and SIL simulations.
• Design, tune, and validate flight control algorithms and software.
• Design and analyze Strapdown Inertial Navigation System algorithms and sensor modeling.
• Develop, debug, test Matlab/Simulink software and data analysis tools; document algorithms and defects.
• Support lab and field test planning, execution, and data analysis;
• Seek professional development and share knowledge with the team.

Skills

Matlab/Simulink

C/C++

Network/Serial comms

Git (config Mgmt)

Education

Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science

Tools

Software-in-Loop (SIL)

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

We are searching for a Dynamics and Controls Engineer to join our Vehicle Control and Dynamics Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University. ARL's purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC).

ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

You Will:

• Develop and analyze flight control system requirements, including system design trade studies
• Create, validate, and maintain 6DoF dynamic system models for undersea vehicles including Software-in-Loop simulations in Matlab/Simulink
• Design, tune, and validate flight control algorithms and software
• Design, analyze, and update Strapdown Inertial Navigation System algorithms including modeling and analysis of navigation sensors
• Develop, debug, and test Matlab/Simulink-based software and data analysis tools, including the creation of unit, integration, and hardware-in-the-loop system tests for vehicle software and documentation of algorithms, specifications, software, and defects.
• Support lab and field test planning, execution, and data analysis
• Proactively seek professional development opportunities
• Proactively share knowledge with team members

Additional responsibilities for higher level positions:

• Contribute to the design, development, implementation, and analysis of technical engineering products, systems, and subsystems
• Investigate and evaluate practical applicability of scientific theories and engineering principles to develop and improve various engineering systems; identify technical approach for solving problems and meeting customer/grantor needs
• Apply standard practices and techniques in specific situations, correlate data, recognize discrepancies in results and follow operations through a series of related detailed steps or processes
• Conduct experiments/tests in the laboratory/field to test, prove, or modify theoretical propositions on basis of research findings and experiences of others researching in related technical areas; may include taking measurements and recording observations, collecting, compiling, and processing data; may include planning/designing experiments or tests and supervising the execution thereof
• Initiate or contribute data/analysis/design for use in technical reports, documents, proposals, papers, or oral/written presentations

Required skills/experience areas include:

• Experience using Matlab, Simulink, C, or C++
• Experience in network and serial communications
• Experience in software configuration management systems (ex. GIT)

Preferred skills/experience areas include:

• Active government security clearance
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written
• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to present ideas, concepts, and instructions in a clear manner, both internally to peers and management and externally to sponsors and stakeholders
• Ability to work equally well independently or as part of a team
• Ability to conform to development standards and requirements for each project

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

• If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Aerospace (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 14+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None
• If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Aerospace (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 5+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None
• If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Aerospace (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 2+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None

Your working location will be fully on-site, located in State College, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

ARL's purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engine