Research Scientist Principal

Lockheed Martin Corporation; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 228,000 - 424,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Flexible work arrangements

401(k) match

Paid time off

Holidays

Parental Leave

EAP

Education Assistance

Life Insurance

Short-Term Disability

Long-Term Disability

Job summary

Lockheed Martin Space is seeking a senior control systems engineer to design and analyze high-bandwidth precision mechanisms for aerospace applications. You will collaborate across mechanical, electrical, optics, and controls teams to advance guidance and pointing technologies for spacecraft and telescopes.

The role requires a PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering and extensive experience with state-space control, simulations, and multi-body dynamics.

Qualifications

• Experience generating Simulink models and performing time-domain and frequency-domain analyses.
• Strong background in RD of control systems for mechanical and electro-mechanical systems, esp. precision mechanisms and guidance/navigation.
• Advanced knowledge of classical and state-space optimal control; knowledge of modern mechanism tech.
• Knowledge of rigid- and flexible-body dynamics, vibrations, and multi-rigid-body modeling.

Responsibilities

• Control system design and analysis for precision aerospace mechanisms.
• Support programs involving multidisciplinary engineering (mechanical, electrical, optics, controls).
• Develop guidance, navigation algorithms and pointing/stabilization systems for spacecraft and telescopes.

Skills

Simulink modeling

Control system design

Aerospace systems

Quantum sensing

First principles analysis

Education

PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering

Tools

Matlab

Job description

Do YOU have the ability to conceive, design, and build sophisticated control systems from first principles and requirements definition to flight performance validation? The coolest jobs on this planet… or any other… are with Lockheed Martin Space.

At the dawn of a new space age, Lockheed Martin is a pioneer, partner, innovator and builder. Our amazing people are on a mission to make a difference in the world and every single day we use our unique skills and experiences to create, design and build solutions to some of the worlds’ hardest engineering problems.

Do you want to be part of a culture that inspires employees to think big, perform with excellence and build incredible products? We provide the resources, inspiration and focus - if you have the passion and courage to dream big, then we want to build a better tomorrow with you.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Control system design and analysis for precision aerospace mechanisms.
• Support programs performing research and product development encompassing multiple engineering disciplines including mechanical, electrical, optics, and controls engineering.
• Project support includes design and development of advanced quantum-sensing-based guidance and navigation algorithms; design and development of advanced pointing and stabilization systems for spacecraft, payloads, and next generation large segmented optical telescopes; design and development of controls test beds and related facilities to demonstrate pointing and stabilization system performance, and control system synthesis and analysis.

The ideal candidate will have familiarity with the control of high-bandwidth precision mechanisms through design and test, understand space environments, and work well in a dynamic multi-disciplinary environment. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in aerospace or mechanical engineering with at least 16 years of professional experience. Candidate must be a US Person (US Citizen or Green Card holder). Must be able to communicate effectively with all team members, possess good time management and organizational skills and be willing and able to work in a dynamic and collaborative R&D environment.

Standard Job Description

Performs scientific experiments, investigations, observations and related research studies into the nature and operation of natural phenomena in a particular field, using the scientific methods. Develops theories for understanding, characterizing and organizing natural phenomena into a systematic and meaningful pattern for the benefit of project advancement and emerging technologies. May participate in intellectual property evaluations and development of patent applications. May coordinate interdepartmental activities and research efforts. Proficient in AI prompting as it applies to this position and practice.

Basic Qualifications

• Experience in generating Simulink models and performing time-domain and frequency-domain analyses using Matlab's Simulink is required.
• Strong background in research and development of control systems for mechanical and electro-mechanical systems, in particular precision mechanisms and guidance & navigation systems applied to aerospace.
• Advanced knowledge of classical and state-space optimal control methods as well as knowledge of the state-of-the-art in mechanism technologies.
• Knowledge of rigid- and flexible-body dynamics, vibrations, ability to generate and code complex multi-rigid-body dynamics models from first principles in Newtonian mechanics.
• Required graduate curriculum include multi rigid-body dynamics and kinematics, vibrations, linear systems theory, classical control, optimal control, digital control, Kalman filtering and estimation, statistics, vector calculus, ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, numerical linear algebra, numerical analysis.

Desired Skills

• A strong interest in control system development and design work, and ability to justify decisions with analysis and simulations based on first principles physics understanding is a must.
• Advanced mathematical education and strong analytical skills at the graduate level.
• Knowledge of quantum mechanics basics, geometric optics, electro-magnetism, wave mechanics, electro-mechanical systems including motor drive electronics and sensor signal processing, passive and active vibration isolation systems, orbital mechanics.
• Desired additional graduate curriculum include electrical circuits, non-linear optimization, convex optimization, robust control, digital signal processing and spectral analysis, calculus of variations, stochastic calculus, numerical integration methods.
• Experience with real-time embedded software programming and real-time operating systems is a plus.

Pay Information

GeoZone Definition

GeoZones are geographic groupings created by Lockheed Martin to align compensation ranges with regional labor markets and cost-of-labor differences across the United States. Locations are assigned a Geo Zone based on the primary work location of the role.

• Full-time salary range (GEOZONE 1): $228100.00 - $423700.00
• Includes metropolitan areas such as Sunnyvale CA; Pal Alto, CA; New York City metropolitan area; Newark, New Jersey; etc.
• Full-time salary range (GEOZONE 2): $205300.00 - $381300.00
• Includes metropolitan areas such as Denver, CO; King of Prussia, PA; Stratford, CT; Moorestown, NJ; etc.
• Full-time salary range (GEOZONE 3): $182500.00 - $338900.00
• Includes metropolitan areas such as Dallas–Fort Worth, TX; Orlando, FL; Grand Prairie, TX; Marietta, GA; etc.
• Full-time salary range (GEOZONE 4): $164200.00 - $305000.00
• Includes metropolitan areas such as Camden, AR; Lexington, KY; Lufkin, TX; etc.

At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow—both professionally and personally.

The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only.

Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market(work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.

Benefits offered

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.
• Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics. For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.