Performance Analysis Engineer - Ground-based Missile Defense

InvestedintheMission; Alabama; On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401K with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Job summary

AeroVironment is seeking a Performance Analysis Engineer in Huntsville, AL to support analysis and evaluation of Ground-based Missile Defense (GMD) systems for MDA. You will develop tools in MATLAB, Python, and C++ to model interceptor performance across engagement scenarios and communicate findings to engineers and government stakeholders.

The role requires a strong background in statistics, numerical methods, and simulation-based assessment, plus an active security clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in STEM field
• 7+ years of relevant experience
• Active security clearance (SECRET or above)
• Experience supporting MDA GMD Programs
• Proficiency in MATLAB (model development, data analysis, visualization)
• Advanced proficiency with Python (NumPy, SciPy, Pandas, Matplotlib)
• Experience evaluating missile defense engagement performance and interceptor effectiveness
• Strong understanding of statistics, numerical methods, optimization, and simulation-based assessment
• Experience interpreting simulation outputs and translating findings into recommendations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills presenting analyses to government customers and senior leadership

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain MATLAB, Python, and C++ analysis tools to support medium-fidelity modeling, simulation, and performance assessments of GBI and NGI
• Develop, execute, and analyze modeling and simulation environments to evaluate interceptor performance across engagement scenarios
• Perform quick-response analysis for IDT including kinematic battlespace assessments
• Conduct interceptor performance analysis to identify performance trends and recommendations
• Support development of future interceptor analysis capabilities, models, simulations, and tools
• Analyze and interpret simulation results to assess system performance and provide conclusions
• Develop and deliver technical briefings to communicate methodologies, results, and conclusions
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to address emerging analysis needs and future capabilities

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM field

Tools

MATLAB

Python

NumPy

SciPy

Pandas

Matplotlib

C++

Job description

Worker Type Regular

Job Description

AV is looking for a highly talented Performance Analysis Engineer to join our Huntsville, AL team. In this role you will support the analysis and assessment of Ground-based Missile Defense (GMD) systems in support of Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The successful candidate will perform mission and system performance analyses to evaluate weapon system effectiveness, engagement performance, and operational capability across a range of threat scenarios. This role requires expertise in MATLAB and Python and the ability to develop analytical tools, interpret complex simulation results, and communicate technical findings to engineering team, program leadership, and government stakeholders.

Job Description

• Develop and maintain MATLAB, Python, and C++ analysis tools to support medium-fidelity modeling, simulation, and performance assessments of the Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) and Next Generation Interceptor (NGI).
• Develop, execute, and analyze modeling and simulation (M&S) environments to evaluate interceptor performance across a variety of engagement scenarios and mission conditions.
• Perform quick-response analysis in support of the In-Flight Interceptor Communication System Data Terminal (IDT), including kinematic battlespace assessments and other time-sensitive technical analyses.
• Conduct interceptor performance analysis to evaluate system capabilities, identify performance trends and limitations, and support technical assessments and decision-making.
• Support the development and enhancement of future interceptor analysis capabilities, methodologies, models, simulations, and analytical tools.
• Analyze and interpret simulation results to assess system performance and provide technically sound conclusions and recommendations.
• Develop and deliver technical briefings to communicate analysis methodologies, assumptions, results, and conclusions to engineering teams, program leadership, and government stakeholders.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to address emerging analysis needs and support current and future missile defense capabilities

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) field
• 7+ years relevant experience
• Active security clearance (SECRET or above) is required.
• Demonstrated experience supporting MDA GMD Programs
• Proficiency in MATLAB, including model development, data analysis, and visualization
• Advanced Proficiency with Python, including scientific computing libraries such as NumPy, SciPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib
• Experience evaluating missile defense (MD) engagement performance, interceptor effectiveness, mission performance, or system operational capability
• Strong understanding of statistical analysis, numerical methods, optimization techniques, and simulation-based performance assessment
• Experience interpreting simulation outputs and translating analytical findings into actionable engineering recommendations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience presenting technical analyses to government customers and senior leadership.

Qualifications Desired:

• Experience supporting MDA Element or System-level performance assessments
• Radar analysis experience
• Strong analytical background
• Self-starting technical problem solver
• Experience integrating AI/MIL into analytical processes

ITAR Requirement

International Traffic Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants will be asked to provide specific documentation to verify U.S. person status under the ITAR and the EAR. A "U.S. person" according to their definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee, or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15.

Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits

AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

Who We Are

Based in California, AeroVironment (AVAV) is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer, Dr. Paul MacCready, we’ve been at the leading edge of technical innovation for more than 45 years. Be a part of the team that developed the world’s most widely used military drones and created the first submarine-launched reconnaissance drone, and has seven innovative vehicles that are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington, DC.

What We Do

Building on a history of technological innovation, AeroVironment designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tactical missile systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.