PRINCIPAL GNC AND TRAJECTORY ENGINEER

IGNITE; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A service-disabled veteran-owned small business in Huntsville, AL is seeking a Principal GNC & Trajectory Engineer. The successful candidate will provide technical support to missile defense programs, focusing on trajectory analysis and engineering tasks. Requirements include a master's degree in a STEM field, significant experience in missile defense, and proficiency in programming languages such as MATLAB and Python. Candidates must also hold an active DoD Secret security clearance. Join a dynamic team and contribute to vital defense projects.

Qualifications

• 12+ years working on missile defense-related projects.
• Active DoD Secret security clearance required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Support the Missile Defense Agency with missile defense vehicle development.
• Analyze and generate target trajectory data.
• Collaborate with the Targets System Engineering team on design and simulation tasks.

Skills

Missile trajectory analysis

Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC)

Modeling and Simulation (M&S)

Programming in MATLAB

Strong communication skills

Education

Master's degree in STEM field

Tools

MATLAB

Python

TAOS

STK

Job description

Job Description

Ignite is an ISO 9001:2015 and CMMI Services Level 3 certified, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), headquartered in Huntsville, AL. By design, Ignite is a provider of professional services to customers in educational, federal, and commercial industries and in every action seeks to be the preeminent provider within this business space. Ignite upholds our values of competency, collaboration, innovation, reliability, and results through everything we do.

Principal GNC & Trajectory Engineer

Ignite is currently seeking a Principal GNC & Trajectory Engineer to join our team! In this role you will provide technical and advisory assistance to Targets Program Office by aiding in the refinement and implementation of Target trajectories in support of the agencies flight test events to validate the weapon and system sensors.

Responsibilities

• Support the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Directorate for Test (DT) Targets program office with development of missile defense target vehicles
• Support the Targets System Engineering team in all aspects of target design, analysis, and test to include requirements development and assessment, modeling and simulation, test analysis and reporting
• Utilize knowledge, skills and experience with missile characteristics (physical, kinematics, signatures) and engineering to support engineering activities and data product development
• Technical focus areas include Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC), Modeling and Simulation (M&S), and vehicle performance assessments
• Generate and analyze target vehicle 6-DoF and 3-DoF trajectory data using industry standard (e.g., TAOS) and in-house developed (e.g., MATLAB, Python, C++) tools
• Support flight test analysis and reporting to include analyzing vehicle onboard instrumentation data and generating trajectory reconstruction
• Collaborate with a dynamic team of experts in multiple technical areas to develop analysis and engineering tools

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in STEM field (e.g., physics, engineering, math).
• 12+ years working on missile defense-related or other DoD programs/projects
• Note: Bachelor’s degree in STEM field with 7+ years of relevant experience may be considered
• Active DoD Secret security clearance, which requires US Citizenship
• Strong understanding of principles of aerodynamics; equations of motion; coordinate systems; vehicle dynamics; guidance, navigation, and control; etc.
• Experience with missile trajectory analysis to include working in different coordinate frames, endo- and exo-atmospheric behaviors, and identifying key trajectory parameters
• Knowledge of satellite orbital mechanics, ephemeris, orbit propagation, perturbations, determination, and maneuver planning
• Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, Java, C#, and other programming languages
• Skilled in use of modeling and simulation tools (e.g., TAOS, STK)
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)

Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with MDA and/or DoD programs and processes
• Experience in any or all of the following disciplines: Design, CAD, Trajectory, Radar Cross Section (RCS) Signatures, Optical Signatures
• Strong attention to detail and ability to efficiently perform multiple tasks
• Ability to communicate detailed technical information to technical and non-technical personnel

Security Clearance Requirements

Must have an active Secret Security Clearance.

Education Requirements

• Master’s Degree