Dragonfly Entry and Descent Subject Matter Expert

Overview

Would you love to work on the most exciting mission currently in development, one that will explore Titan, the largest moon of Saturn?

Would you like to assist the Dragonfly Entry and Descent lead engineers in ensuring the entry vehicle is able to successfully separate from the cruise stage, ballistically navigate through atmospheric entry, and deliver and release the Dragonfly lander for its first powered flight?

Do you have experience leading Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) flight systems, and are willing to share that knowledge with a multifaceted team of world-class engineers dedicated to develop, test, launch, and operate one of the most ambitious missions ever developed for NASA?

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

The Space Exploration Sector (SES) is seeking an EDL Subject Matter Expert (SME) to help the Dragonfly team validate, test, and operate the Dragonfly EDL subsystem, from integration and test through post-launch operations. You would provide technical oversight, working with the current EDL and Dragonfly systems team leadership to ensure the program is a success.

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

• Work with the EDL lead engineers and the systems team to ensure all system requirements can be verified and tested.
• Support integration and testing of the spacecraft, including cleanroom activities and developing procedures and command scripts to perform aliveness, functional, performance, and phasing tests of EDL software and hardware. Assist in the coordination of schedules with the integration and test (I&T) lead to ensure the EDL subsystem is available when needed, and qualified engineers are available to conduct mission tests as requested.
• Support launch and spacecraft operations during the cruise phase of the mission, developing command sequences for verifying the health of the EDL subsystem after launch.
• Support spacecraft integration readiness and delivery reviews.
• Ideally, support the operational execution of EDL critical event sequence upon Titan arrival

• Have a M.S in Aerospace Engineering or a related technical field.
• Have at least 15 years of general experience with EDL flight projects, and or closely related technologies and analyses (e.g. Thermal Protection Systems (TPS), parachutes, aeroheating / aerothermodynamics, aerodynamics, atmospheric flight mechanics, structural analysis).
• Are familiar with TPS materials, particularly ablative materials, such as Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA), SLA-561V, Carbon-Carbon (C/C) and Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC), woven TPS (e.g., Heatshield for Extreme Entry Environment Technology (HEEET)).
• Are experienced with relevant modeling and analysis tools and methodologies.
• Are knowledgeable with various test facilities, such as wind tunnels and arc jets.
• Have previous experience as a Lead Engineer (e.g., Phase Lead, Subsystem Lead, System Lead).
• Have demonstrated leadership experience within a dynamic team environment.
• Have the ability to advocate for EDL needs / perspective to ensure critical event execution and mission success.
• 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.

• Have a PhD in Aerospace Engineering or a related technical field.
• Have direct EDL experience on a NASA mission with blunt body and high velocity entry events.
• Have post-launch operations experience
• Have a history of flight system deliveries (hardware / software / service) to a prime contractor
• Are an established user of relevant of EDL modeling and analysis tools, such as POST2, FIAT, CHAR, LAURA, DPLR, HARA, and NEQAIR.
• Are a recognized EDL industry leader.

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…