Radar Navigation Engineer

What does the surface of the moon look like? As a Radar Navigation Engineer, you will tell us!

You will help model the descent of the landing of the Human Lander System (HLS) for NASA's HLS navigation team. From radar modelling and visualization to descent dynamics, this position will require a well-rounded background of radar modelling skills, experience with computer programming, and the desire to perform high fidelity analyses to help prevent damage and destruction of the involved HLS systems.This exciting work will serve as a critical step in sending humans back to the Moon, Mars and beyond!

Description:

Primary responsibility will entail radar modeling and provide landing radar performance analysis of HLS descent trajectories to the surface of the Moon, and will incorporate all relevant models, including surface topology, and rocket plume and regolith plume induced dust degradation effects during landing to specific landing sites. Additionally, you will be asked to perform trade studies to assess navigation performance under dispersed radar model parameters to assess uncertainty of unknown model parameters, and evaluates navigation margins for Space X, Blue Origin, and government Design Reference Missions. Develop in-house radar models and/or integrate radar sensor models from providers into 6-DOF simulations such as the GeneraLized Aerospace Simulation in Simulink (GLASS) tool. Tasking may also include use or development of visualization tools of landing sites to aid radar navigation analysis. Programming skills and mentoring abilities are highly desired.

Job Functions:

• Perform large scale simulations by taking a large computational task, breaking it down into discrete parts, and distributing those parts across different computers to be processed simultaneously using BATH or SHELL
• Integration of all relevant models into the radar simulation, including surface topology, and rocket plume and regolith plume induced dust degradation effects during landing to specific landing sites
• Modeling and simulation of landing radar performance analysis of HLS descent trajectories to the surface of the Moon
• Performs trade studies to assess navigation performance under dispersed radar model parameters to assess uncertainty of unknown model parameters, and evaluates navigation margins for government Design Reference Missions and government partners
• Assesses partner radar test data and partner radar sensors and models
• Develops in-house radar models and/or integrates radar sensor models from providers into 6-DOF simulations such as the GeneraLized Aerospace Simulation in Simulink (GLASS) tool
• Execute/modify existing software/scripts in Python, Matlab, Fortran, C++
• Generate requirement specifications for separation systems
• Creating, editing and debugging software written in Python, Matlab, Fortran, and C/C++.
• Optimization and improvement of analysis tools and GN&C models.
• Preparing and Presenting technical reports and briefings.

Qualifications:

A degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or related field is required. Degree from an ABET-accredited university is preferred. Typically, educational requirements are the equivalent of a Ph.D. with a minimum 4 years of experience; Masters with at least 8 years of experience, or a BS with at least 10 years of experience.

The candidate is REQUIRED to have the following skills and experiences:

• Matlab & Simulink experience
• BASH experience
• Significant radar experience

To be successful in this position, the applicant must be detail oriented, work independently and collaboratively, possess strong communication and interpersonal skills, and will typically possess some of the following skills:

• Radar and LIDAR experience
• Dynamically model descent systems
• CAD experience, Design of Experiments experience
• Python, Fortran, C++ programming experience
• Familiarity with Linux, Bash, and the use of computational clusters/servers
• Support the design, integration, and analysis of GN&C products.
• Configure, conduct, and analyze 6-DOF Monte Carlo simulations.

Essential Functions

Work Environment:

Office environment. Requires ability to provide clear, concise, accurate and timely communication, both verbally and in writing (100%). Requires ability to interact professionally with co-workers, management, and client (100%). Requires travel in the domestic USA (10%). Requires ability to work at a computer for long periods of time(100%).

Physical Requirements:

Requires sitting for extended periods of time in meetings with peers, management, and with our client at NASA facilities to discuss technical issues (10%). Also, requires sitting for extended periods of time at a desk to write reports and perform engineering tasks (80%). Requires ability to use stairs or elevators for access between floors and multiple buildings at NASA and our facilities (10%).

Equipment and Machines:

Requires ability to operate a personal computer, a telephone, fax machine, copier, calculator, and other general office equipment (100%).

Attendance:

Normal workday 7:30 - 4:30, Monday thru Friday. Minimal overtime may be required (10%) to meet schedule milestones and to support technical demands of the job. Regular attendance is a necessity, and adequate arrangements for delegating duties during absences are required.

Other Essential Functions:

The ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and to make rational decisions, and to exercise good judgment is essential (100%). Grooming and dress must be appropriate for the position and must not impose a safety risk/hazard to the employee or others.

Proof of U.S. Citizenship is required.

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