Principal GNC & Trajectory Engineer

Principal Gnc & Trajectory Engineer

Valkyrie Enterprises has need for a Principal Gnc & Trajectory Engineer in Huntsville, AL. In this role you will provide technical and advisory assistance to Targets Program Office by aiding in the refinement and implementation of Target trajectories in support of the agencies flight test events to validate the weapon and system sensors.

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.

Must have a Bachelor's degree and at least 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. Must have a strong understanding of principles of aerodynamics; equations of motion; coordinate systems; vehicle dynamics; guidance, navigation, and control; etc. Must have experience with missile trajectory analysis to include working in different coordinate frames, endo- and exo-atmospheric behaviors, and identifying key trajectory parameters.

Must have knowledge of satellite orbital mechanics, ephemeris, orbit propagation, perturbations, determination, and maneuver planning. Must be proficient with MATLAB, Python, Java, C#, and other programming languages. Must be skilled in use of modeling and simulation tools (e.g., TAOS, STK). Must be strong oral and written communication skills. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

Familiarity with MDA and/or DoD programs and processes, preferred. Experience in any or all of the following disciplines:
Design, CAD, Trajectory, Radar Cross Section (RCS) Signatures, Optical Signatures, preferred. Strong attention to detail and ability to efficiently perform multiple tasks, preferred. Ability to communicate detailed technical information to technical and non-technical personnel, preferred.

Must have an Active Secret Security clearance, and the ability to maintain clearance. Travel required; 10% or less. If position requires travel by domestic flight or access to secure federal facilities/military bases, candidate must be able to obtain (by start of position) and maintain appropriate identification credentials, such as REAL .

Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods. Able to sit and work on a computer for long periods of time. Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another. Communicating with others to exchange information. Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.