Senior Research Associate: Aerospace Engineering

SJSU Research Foundation

60d • $190,000 - $220,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

This is a senior-level engineering position with the U.S. Army’s Technology Development Directorate (TDD) Research Group at the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA. The role focuses on Flight Test, Flight Controls and Autonomy as it relates to the Army’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL) and Contested Logistics (CL) modernization priorities. The work involves research and development efforts in rotorcraft flight control technologies and operations for both manned and unmanned systems and optionally piloted air-vehicles.

Requirements

• MS in Aerospace Engineering or related field required.
• Education in the following areas: Numerical analysis and statistical methods, flight dynamics and control; aircraft simulation; classical and optimal control; linear control theory.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work on collaborative teams or independently.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research.
• General knowledge of flight control and fixed/rotary wing aircraft and unmanned aerial system (UAS) controls.
• Demonstrated strong competency in MATLAB, Simulink, Python, and/or C/C++.
• Experience conducting design reviews, peer reviews and technical meetings.
• Must be willing to travel domestically and internationally.
• Located at the NASA Ames Research Center. Employee must meet security qualifications for entrance to Ames Research Center.
• Candidate must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Frequent and ongoing use of a computer terminal to conduct a variety of the more advanced clerical functions and communications.
• Periodic, regular, and/or occasional contact with employees of the Research Foundation at all levels, San Jose State University faculty and staff, and/or vendors, with the ability to discuss and appropriately respond to inquiries and requests.
• Work with time constraints and under pressure.
• Periodic regular lifting, walking, and carrying of files, documents and other related materials.
• Strength, dexterity, and coordination and/or ability to use a computer keyboard and read a video display terminal on a regular basis.
• Ability to listen to verbal requests from customers, clients, and vendors, and to respond appropriately.
• A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the SJSURF.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in an applied research setting is highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Perform research and development in the areas of flight controls, handling qualities, and autonomy for manned and unmanned vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
• Provide subject matter expertise to program offices and industry partners in the aforementioned technical areas.
• Support the Rotorcraft In-Flight Laboratory (RIFL) team with the development, validation and flight testing of the new RASCAL X Vehicle Mission Management Computer (VMMC).
• Mentor junior engineers, transfer knowledge, and help ensure continuity of branch operations.
• Apply knowledge and experience to conduct and guide further development of the Rotorcraft Aircrews Systems Concepts Airborne Laboratory (RASCAL) Development Facility (DF).
• Support development of the Ames Gen Hel model of the UH-60 Black Hawk in support of DF and System Integration Laboratory (SIL) simulations.
• Perform validation of flight control software tools which include CONDUIT and RIPTIDE.
• Support and contribute to software development activities related to flight control software tools (CONDUIT, RIPTIDE); Provide assessment and feedback to software change proposals.
• Collaborate with government and contractor teams to integrate modeling and simulation tools into Army programs.
• Document methods, results, and present findings to support technical and program reviews.

Benefits

• Four company health insurance plans to choose from (employee contributions differ according to plan and level of coverage).
• Employer-paid dental and vision for both employee and eligible dependents.
• Life, AD&D, LTD with supplemental coverage opportunities.
• 14 paid federal & state holidays.
• Retirement Plan: 403 (b) employee contribution plan component and a 403 (b) employer contribution component, which vests immediately.
• Vacation-hour accruals and separate sick-hour accumulations.
• Employee discounts.
• Paid training and professional-development conferences.

What This Job Offers

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