Principal GNC & Trajectory Analyst

ACQCENTRIC INC; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

ACQCENTRIC INC is seeking a highly experienced Missile Defense Target Analyst to support the MDA Targets Directorate. You will contribute to design, analysis, and test of target vehicles, develop data products, and perform trajectory analysis using MATLAB, Python, and TAOS/STK.

The role requires extensive DoD program experience, a DoD Secret clearance, and strong fundamentals in aerodynamics, orbital mechanics, and guidance/navigation/control. Collaboration across a skilled team is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 20+ years DoD missile defense experience, or a Master's with 12+ years
• Active DoD Secret clearance and US citizenship
• Strong fundamentals in aerodynamics, equations of motion, coordinate systems, and vehicle dynamics
• Experience with missile trajectory analysis across coordinate frames and endo/exo-atmospheric regimes
• Knowledge of satellite orbital mechanics, ephemeris, orbit propagation, perturbations, and maneuver planning
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, Java, C#, and other languages
• Experience with modeling and simulation tools TAOS and STK
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite

Responsibilities

• Support the Missile Defense Agency Targets program office with development of missile defense target vehicles
• Support the Targets System Engineering team in requirements development, modeling and simulation, and test analysis
• Utilize knowledge of missile characteristics to support engineering activities and data product development
• Focus on GNC, Modeling & Simulation, and vehicle performance assessments
• Generate and analyze 6-DoF and 3-DoF trajectory data using industry standard tools
• Support flight test analysis and reporting, including trajectory reconstruction from onboard data
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop analysis tools and engineering solutions

Skills

Oral and written communication

Microsoft Office

Programming languages (MATLAB, Python,

Education

Bachelor's degree + 20+ years DoD missile defense experience OR Master's + 12+ years DoD missile defense experience

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Java

C#

TAOS

STK

Job description

Description

What You'll Be Doing:

• 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

Requirements

What Required Skills You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree and 20+ years working on missile defense-related or other DoD programs/projects OR a Master's degree and 12+ years working on missile defense-related or other DoD programs/projects
• 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 simulationtools (e.g., TAOS, STK)
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)

What Desired Skills You'll Bring:

• 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