Flight Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer

Are you passionate about Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C)?

Are you interested in working on cutting edge next generation Hypersonic and Ballistic missile systems that are critical to the survivability of the United States?

Do you want to be a part of a highly motivated team of GN&C subject matter experts that respond to our sponsor's most critical and impactful missile system challenges?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!

We are seeking a dedicated GN&C engineer with a proficient background across the full spectrum of Guidance, Navigation, and Control to design, model, and evaluate missile systems. These weapon systems come with an enormous GN&C challenge: They fly VERY fast, with short time-constant nonlinear dynamics, through an atmosphere with many disturbances, in GPS contested environments.

Our sponsors look to our team to be independent GN&C subject matter experts in support of multiple ballistic and hypersonic weapon systems. As part of this role, we independently evaluate real flight test performance of existing systems and influence the designs and capabilities of next generation systems. This is a critical role to ensure these weapon systems meet both existing and future warfighter needs, and we need your help to do it!

As an GN&C Missile Engineer, your primary responsibilities would include one or more of the following (depending on skills and interests)...

• Conduct GN&C subsystem trade studies, designs, and analyses for next generation missile systems, including one or more of the following:
• Advanced GN&C algorithm design
• Performance prediction and assessment against sponsor objectives
• Both high fidelity (e.g. physics-based) and low fidelity (e.g. parameterized) sensor modeling
• Assess the performance of existing missile GN&C subsystems, including one or more of the following:
• Pre-flight performance prediction using high-fidelity models, linear and non-linear covariance analysis, and control stability analysis.
• Post-flight performance evaluation using optimal estimation techniques (e.g. Kalman Filters) to analyze flight data collected from sensors, including Inertial Measurement Units (IMU), Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, RADAR, and other sensor systems.
• Develop, implement and assess potential performance evaluation algorithm and tool improvements
• Design, develop, integrate, test, and use software to conduct technical analyses that inform APL's technical opinions and/or generate data deliverables
• Provide technical leadership to teams of varying size
• Provide technical mentorship to junior staff
• Present work to a broad internal audience as well as Sponsors and external organizations at working groups, post-flight briefings, and program reviews.

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Have a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Physics (or closely related technical field)
• Have 5 or more years of relevant technical experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Estimation Methods (Extended Kalman, Unscented, and/or Particle Filters)
• Navigation Sensors and Equations (GPS, Inertial Measurement Units)
• Inertial Navigation (GPS, IMUs)
• Autopilot design and classical control stability analysis
• Nonlinear Control
• Stochastic processes
• Optimal Control
• Flight Dynamics
• Have a strong sense of curiosity to understand how and why a system works and the ambition to follow up on that curiosity.
• Have an interest and willingness to work on nuclear and hypersonic missile systems
• Have experience in Matlab or C++, and a willingness to learn Simulink
• Are willing and able to support occasional travel (< 10%) for Sponsor meetings
• Are able to obtain a Top Secret level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You 'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Have one of the following combinations of relevant work experience and degree (in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or closely related technical field)
• MS + 5 years, or
• PhD + 3 years
• Prior work experience in Strategic weapon systems, including Hypersonic or Ballistic missile systems
• Have demonstrated technical leadership of a team
• Currently hold an active Secret or higher level clearance.
• Experience in Simulink

Why work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at http://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

APL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

APL is committed to promoting an innovative environment that embraces diversity, encourages creativity, and supports inclusion of new ideas. In doing so, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accommodations@jhuapl.edu. Only by ensuring that everyone's voice is heard are we empowered to be bold, do great things, and make the world a better place.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.