GNC / Trajectory Engineer

Make a Real Difference - At Astrion, we are at the forefront of new missile defense technologies and engaged with the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) rigorous engineering efforts to develop and deploy a layered Missile Defense System (MDS). This exciting, rewarding work helps guarantee the security of the United States, deployed forces, and allies. Join a professional team of highly qualified engineers, analysts, scientists and technicians supporting the research, development, testing and evaluation of the missile defense system whose purpose is to detect, track, engage and destroy adversary missiles.

Your typical day - Our MDA analysts and engineers work in modern, well-appointed government facilities at Redstone Arsenal. Redstone is located in Huntsville, Alabama, otherwise known as "Rocket City." Huntsville is the hub of missile and space research and development. You will collaborate with other missile defense experts - military, government civilians, and contractors from Axient and other companies. Our team of experts helps the Government manage planning, development and delivery of state-of-the art sensors, weapons, communications, and command/control systems.

What are your specific duties? - The GNC / Trajectory Engineer will support MDA Targets and Countermeasures program in performing technical analysis and assessment of missile defense targets, specifically in areas of Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC), Modeling & Simulation (M&S), trajectory, and vehicle performance.

Responsibilities Include:

• Support the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) office with development of Missile Defense System (MDS) target vehicles
• Support all aspects of target design, analysis, and test to include requirements development and assessment, modeling and simulation, analysis, and reporting
• Technical focus areas include Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC), Modeling and Simulation (M&S), and vehicle performance assessments
• Assess target vehicle GNC design and performance
• 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
• Collaborate with a dynamic team of experts in multiple technical areas
• Utilize knowledge, skills, and experience with missile characteristics, design, and analysis to support engineering activities and data product development
• Travel up to 25% of the time

Required Skills and Experience:

• Education: Master's degree in a STEM related field
• Experience: 12+ years of relevant experience
• 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
• Proficient with MATLAB and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Self-starter with enthusiasm and capacity to learn in a fast-paced environment

Desire Skills and Experience:

• Familiarity with MDA programs and processes
• Skilled in use of M&S tools (e.g., TAOS, STK)
• Experience with missiles, targets, missile defense systems or hypersonic weaponsExceptional written and verbal skills