Research Scientist​/Engineer - Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering

Research Scientist/Engineer – Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering (28512)

The Department of Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) in the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University invites applications for a Research Scientist/Engineer in the general areas of Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), Orbital Dynamics, and Space Situational Awareness (SSA).

• Conduct research in GNC algorithm development, orbital dynamics, and sensor fusion for space domain awareness and space traffic management.
• Develop, evaluate, and validate models for tracking, characterizing, and predicting behavior of resident space objects.
• Stay current with SSA, autonomous space systems, and multi-sensor tracking advancements.
• Identify research sponsors and assist with proposal development.
• Apply modern estimation, system identification, machine learning, and probabilistic modeling methods.
• Oversee research facilities, computational resources, and student researchers.
• Prepare and present research progress reports.
• Present and publish research findings.

An advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or a closely related discipline is required. Experience in orbital mechanics, estimation theory, sensor fusion, autonomous spacecraft navigation, nonlinear dynamics, and machine learning applications to SSA are highly desirable. Familiarity with tracking and catalog maintenance methods, space object characterization, simulation environments (STK, GMAT, Basilisk), and programming languages/tools such as Python, MATLAB, and C++ are preferred.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.