Navigation Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

19h•Onsite

About The Position

This role is for a dynamic, creative engineer who will help assess the performance of weapon systems under development and influence future missile systems programs. The engineer will join a team of expert analysts in an environment that values collaboration and innovation. Innovations in areas like Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI/ML) and alternative navigation solutions in GPS-denied environments offer exciting opportunities to shape the future of our nation’s defensive capabilities. The team supports a wide array of platforms, including hypersonics, cruise missiles, submarines, and autonomous flight vehicles. As a senior engineer, the individual will spearhead development of navigation solutions for these critical systems, leveraging technical expertise and a passion for continuous learning.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or another related technical field.
5+ years proven experience with navigation systems.
Experience in design and analysis of inertial navigation systems, sensor fusion and state estimation via Kalman or other optimal filtering algorithms, or navigation simulation and model development.
Conducted analysis and development using MATLAB, Simulink, Python, or C++.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and skilled at developing relationships across multi-disciplinary teams.
Willing to travel up to approximately 25%.
Able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Top Secret level clearance.
U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or other related technical discipline.
Successfully led navigation system design or analysis activities.
Experience and interest in related fields such as guidance and control systems or 6 degree-of-freedom modeling and simulation.
Hands-on experience with navigation hardware including IMUs, GPS receivers, and GPS emulators.

Responsibilities

Be a Subject Matter Expert on navigation systems that must operate in extremely demanding conditions in support of the most crucial missions of the US military.
Design and analyze navigation systems including strapdown algorithms and aiding filters fusing measurements from multiple sensors.
Work with inertial measurement unit (IMU), GPS, terrain mapping sensors, and with multiple sponsors to identify practical GPS alternatives in both hardware and software environments.
Mentor junior staff and help ensure that the team maintains deep knowledge across multiple areas of GPS aiding and inertial navigation.
Use simulations to predict system behavior and risks, leveraging both Monte Carlo and covariance-based methods to understand trends and perform high-level system trades.
Analyze and assess contractor designs to assist program offices throughout the DoD acquisition cycle and interface with contractor community to help them design and build operational weapon systems.
Develop and maintain relationships with DoD sponsors and other relevant stakeholders, working to conceive, develop, plan and execute new Position Navigation and Timing (PNT) initiatives.