Trajectory Engineer

X-Bow Systems; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

X-Bow Systems in Huntsville, AL is seeking a trajectory analyst to support programs by developing and refining vehicle trajectories used to characterize performance.

You will analyze 6-DoF/3-DoF data, support GNC development, flight test analysis, and generate trajectory reconstructions using TAOS, POST2/POST3D, MATLAB, and Python.

The role requires at least 5 years of related experience and strong foundation in physics, missile kinematics, and statistical methods.

Qualifications

• 5 years related industry experience.
• Develop and analyze launch vehicle trajectories for various systems.
• 3DoF and 6DoF analysis with TAOS and POST2/POST3D.
• Mass properties estimates for sizing in design.
• Multidisciplinary systems analysis across propulsion, aerodynamics, and operations.
• Programming in MATLAB and Python.
• Effective communication with stakeholders.
• Experience with simulation, HWIL, and trajectory reconstruction.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine trajectories used for characterizing vehicle performance.
• Support vehicle design, GNC development, and flight test analysis.
• Generate and analyze 6-DoF and 3-DoF trajectory data using TAOS/POST2/POST3D and in-house tools.
• Interact with engineers and subject matter experts to gather inputs.
• Leverage technical expertise to document solutions quickly and accurately.

Skills

Trajectory analysis

Trajectory simulations

Mass properties

Systems analysis

Programming

Communication

Testing

Job description

In this role you will support programs by developing and refining trajectories used for characterizing vehicle performance.

You will utilize your knowledge, skills, and experience with trajectories and engineering to support vehicle design, requirement compliance, Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) development, vehicle performance assessments, and flight test analysis. Your flight test support will include analyzing vehicle onboard instrumentation data and generating trajectory reconstruction.

You will generate and analyze vehicle 6-DoF and 3-DoF trajectory data using industry standard (TAOS, POST2/POST3D) and in-house developed (MATLAB, Python) tools.

You will know you are a successful in this role when you've leveraged your technical expertise to characterize and document solutions quickly and accurately.

You will join a small team of experts collectively supporting these programs and directly interact with the engineers and subject matter experts who will provide the inputs to your analysis.

To thrive in this role, you will have at least 5 years of directly related industry or academic experience. This role will require a fundamental understanding of physics, missile characteristics and kinematics, statistical analysis, and computational methods.

Desired Skills & Qualifications

5 years related industry experience.

Trajectory Analysis: Develop and analyze tactical, ballistic, suborbital and orbital launch vehicle trajectories for rail launch and TVC guided systems. Dispersions and fault analysis capability/understanding required.

Trajectory Simulations: 3DoF and 6DoF analysis with TAOS and/or POST2/POST3D

Weights & Sizing: Develop and analyze launch vehicle sizing and mass properties estimates to support both conceptual and detailed design.

Systems Analysis: Multidisciplinary skillset as applied to launch vehicle performance & operations, in-space systems, propulsion, aerodynamics, technology assessments, value stream mapping, etc.

Programming: Matlab and Python

Communication: Effective communication across range of stakeholders.

Testing: Experience with simulation, software testing, HWIL, sensor-based trajectory reconstruction etc.