94: Technical Staff (Systems Analyst)

Job Description

We seek a systems analyst to collaboratively lead multidisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers in developing the next generation of resilient space systems. Alongside world-class experts, you will model, analyze, prototype, and demonstrate innovative concepts using real-world experiments across the terrestrial and space domains. Activities will include the independent development of new ideas and approaches, communication with sponsors and the community, and the mentoring of junior staff. This is an opportunity to augment and secure the future of space operations for the Nation and its partners.

An ideal candidate is a self-driven leader and contributor, an effective communicator of technical content to all audiences, and an effective lead member of an interdisciplinary team. Broad experience in multiple technology areas and applications will make a candidate for this role stand out. Applicants should have experience and evidence of their ability in technical areas related to space, robotics, electronics, remote sensing, wireless communication, and/or resilient hardware systems operating in harsh or adversarial environments.

Occasional travel to support field exercises, presentations to sponsors and the community, and other events may be required.

Requirements

• PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or a similar technical field
  • An MS or ME and at least 5 years of relevant experience will be considered.
• Significant professional or academic experience in at least one of the following areas, and some familiarity and career interest in several others:
  • Systems engineering: integrated modeling, interface management, concept development
  • Control of autonomous systems: state estimation, instrument modeling, navigation, remote, unattended operation
  • Astrodynamics: orbit analysis and design, mission planning, constellation geometry and layout
  • Remote sensing: passive/active RF and optical systems analysis, simulation, high-level design
  • Electronics: analog / digital signal processing, prototype test development and execution
  • Mechanical and materials: harsh environments, novel mechanisms, surface interactions
  • Physics: classical electromagnetics, plasmas, optics, ionizing radiation
• Demonstrable ability to
  • Develop respectful, productive working relationships
  • Communicate clearly, precisely, and concisely to technical and non-technical audiences
  • Solve broad and/or complex technical or engineering problems
  • Learn and apply advanced technical knowledge quickly and proficiently
  • Work responsibly and safely in a laboratory environment
• Analytical and/or scientific programming proficiency and experience applying to solve real technical problems (e.g. MATLAB, Python, C/C++, or similar)
• Prior experience with several and ability to learn typical engineering software tools as may be required for analysis tasks (e.g. CAD, multiphysics simulation, satellite mission simulation and analysis)

Stand-out Candidate Qualities

All candidates meeting the aforementioned requirements are encouraged to apply. Candidates with any of the below qualities will be considered especially desirable for this role.

• Experience in developing and flying spaceflight or other aerospace systems hardware as part of a team
• Experience designing and/or fielding one or more of the following technologies:
  • Spacecraft and spacecraft subsystems;
  • RF, laser, or optical systems for transmitting, receiving, and/or processing;
  • Autonomous robots, especially in the air, space, and/or (deep) sea;
  • Vehicle attitude sensing and control;
  • Chemical or electric rocket propulsion;
  • Remote sensing systems for detection and tracking
• Broad engineering and scientific discipline knowledgebase and research skills
• Practical skills in investigative data analysis and rapid troubleshooting of prototype systems
• Experience in pre- and post-deployment risk assessment, analysis, modeling, investigation, and/or mitigation
• Research experience in advanced electro-optical and electromagnetic techniques
• Experience collecting, processing, analyzing, and reporting experimental data taken in an operational laboratory environment

• Ability to develop and set up data collection systems for short or long-term use and potentially with remote operation and/or autonomous collect and process capability
• Experience developing engineering and scientific analyses, simulations in MATLAB (core, Simulink, and Aerospace Toolbox), COMSOL Multiphysics, Ansys Systems/Satellite Tool Kit (AGI STK)
• Experience analyzing large datasets in MATLAB, Python, R, or C/C++
• Ability to develop automated analysis and reporting tools, custom analysis applications with user interfaces