Engineer - Vehicle Flight Control & Inertial Navigation Systems

Position Overview

We are searching for a Dynamics and Controls Engineer to join our Vehicle Control and Dynamics Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University. ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC).

ARL is an authorized DoD Skill Bridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

• Develop and analyze flight control system requirements, including system design trade studies.
• Create, validate, and maintain 6
  
  DoF dynamic system models for undersea vehicles, including Software-in-Loop simulations in Matlab/Simulink.
• Design, tune, and validate flight control algorithms and software.
• Design, analyze, and update Strapdown Inertial Navigation System algorithms, including modeling and analysis of navigation sensors.
• Develop, debug, and test Matlab/Simulink-based software and data analysis tools, including the creation of unit, integration, and hardware‑in‑the‑loop system tests for vehicle software and documentation of algorithms, specifications, software, and defects.
• Support lab and field test planning, execution, and data analysis.
• Proactively seek professional development opportunities.
• Proactively share knowledge with team members.

• Contribute to the design, development, implementation, and analysis of technical engineering products, systems, and subsystems.
• Investigate and evaluate practical applicability of scientific theories and engineering principles to develop and improve various engineering systems; identify technical approaches for solving problems and meeting customer/grantor needs.
• Apply standard practices and techniques in specific situations, correlate data, recognize discrepancies in results, and follow operations through detailed steps or processes.
• Conduct experiments/tests in the laboratory/field to test, prove, or modify theoretical propositions based on research findings and experiences of others researching in related technical areas; may include taking measurements, recording observations, collecting, compiling, and processing data; may include planning/designing experiments or tests and supervising the execution thereof.
• Initiate or contribute data, analysis, and design for use in technical reports, documents, proposals, papers, or oral/written presentations.

• Experience using Matlab, Simulink, C, or C++.
• Experience in network and serial communications.
• Experience in software configuration management systems (e.g., GIT).

• Active government security clearance.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Ability to present ideas, concepts, and instructions clearly, both internally to peers and management and externally to sponsors and stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Ability to conform to development standards and requirements for each project.

Your working location will be fully on-site, located in State College, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

Research and Development Engineer – Aerospace (ARL) – Senior Professional

• Bachelor’s Degree – Engineering or Science

• 14+ years of relevant experience

• Required

Certifications:

None

Research and Development Engineer – Aerospace (ARL) – Advanced Professional

• Bachelor’s Degree – Engineering or Science

• 5+ years of relevant experience

• Required

Certifications:

None

Research and Development Engineer – Aerospace (ARL) – Intermediate Professional

• Bachelor’s Degree – Engineering or Science

• 2+ years of relevant experience

• Required

Certifications:

None

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL…