IR Plume Mod/Sim Systems Engineer - Level 2 or 3

Northrop Grumman • Colorado Springs, CO

1d • $83,400 - $155,400 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman Space Systems’ Multi-Domain Operations and Missile Defense Integration Business Unit is hiring an IR Plume Modeling and Simulation Systems Engineer at Level 2 or Level 3. The role supports Threat Systems Engineering (TSE), which develops and delivers high-fidelity threat modeling products for the Missile Defense Agency and its Ballistic Missile Defense System. TSE develops and sustains models and simulations used to stimulate BMDS element models, including missile kinematics, infrared signatures, data production and analysis, and software-baseline maintenance. The work supports the Threat and Advanced Simulations Development contract.

The engineer will research infrared signature prediction and simulation, produce high-fidelity threat missile signature data packages, and contribute to data production supporting MDA ground-test modeling and simulation. The engineer will coordinate with TMC engineers on software requirements, understand stakeholder needs, and ensure the quality of threat missile data. The role applies standard engineering and mathematical algorithms to represent expected missile-flight phenomenology accurately and uses modeling and simulation methods and processes.

The position is based onsite daily at Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with no remote or hybrid option. It requires travel up to 10% and an active, in-scope U.S. Government Secret clearance at application and start. The engineer is expected to work with little or no direct supervision as part of a product delivery team and meet time-critical schedules.

Requirements

• Level 2: A preferred STEM bachelor’s degree and 2 years of technical experience, or 0–2 years of experience with a master’s degree.
• Level 3: A preferred STEM bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience, or a STEM master’s degree and 3 years of experience, or a STEM Ph.D. and 0–3 years of experience.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% to support business needs.
• Current, active, in-scope U.S. Government Secret security clearance at application; clearance is required to start.
• Experience with technical analysis of modeling and simulation data sets.
• Experience with verification and validation of modeling and simulation data.
• Results-focused, self-motivated, able to work in a dynamic team environment, and able to deliver reliable products and documentation by established deadlines.
• Proficiency with scripting or automation languages such as Python, Bash, or MATLAB.
• Foundational understanding of data analysis concepts.
• Knowledge of missile flight characteristics, motion, atmospheric dynamics, and performance.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Optical Sciences, or a related STEM field.
• Understanding of aerothermodynamics, radiative transfer, fluid dynamics, and molecular spectroscopy.
• Strong mathematics, physics, or engineering background.
• Experience analyzing flight characteristics, motion, atmospheric dynamics, and performance parameters of ballistic missiles.
• Background in infrared signature modeling.
• Technical planning, project management, and project scheduling experience.
• Experience with blackbody infrared emissions.
• Familiarity with Optical Signatures Code (OSC).
• Experience with JANNAF plume codes for predictive signatures, such as SOCRATES-P, PERCORP, or VIPER.
• Strong knowledge of missile flight characteristics, motion, atmospheric dynamics, and performance.
• Strong background in missile system engineering performance.
• Experience with Agile software development methodologies, including Scrum and Kanban.
• Familiarity with or experience in Model-Based Systems Engineering theory and tools.
• Active or interim DoD Secret clearance and ability to obtain Top Secret clearance with access to SCI.

Responsibilities

• Build experience with threat-model phenomenology, focusing on infrared signatures.
• Research infrared signature predictions and simulation models.
• Work with the team to complete data-production needs supporting MDA ground-test modeling and simulation.
• Coordinate with TMC engineers on software requirements for threat-modeling tools.
• Understand stakeholder requirements and ensure quality production of threat missile data.
• Develop high-fidelity threat missile signature data packages for use in modeling and simulation tools and media.
• Apply modeling and simulation methods and processes.
• Apply standard engineering and mathematical algorithms to accurately portray expected phenomenology during missile flight.
• Contribute as an integral member of a product delivery team and meet time-critical delivery schedules.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company-paid holidays
• Paid time off for vacation and/or personal business
• Potential eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and discretionary bonus, depending on the position

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level