Navigation Systems Engineer
Laurel, MD

Job Description

Do you have expertise in inertial navigation and state estimation?

Are you searching for exciting work in aerospace and missile systems engineering?

Do you like contributing to some of our country's most difficult national security challenges?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

We are seeking an engineer to help us design and analyze a variety of navigation systems, evaluate and refine algorithms and approaches and perform error propagation and covariance analysis. As a member of our team, you will contribute to exciting projects supporting the US Department of Defense and the warfighter. We strive to develop, apply, and maintain deep expertise in strap down, GPS aided, and terrain aided navigation systems. You will work alongside specialists who have a real passion for conducting state-of-the-art analysis and advancing our country's capabilities. Our diverse team of hardworking engineers believe in fostering an environment of continuous learning and mentoring.

As a Navigation Systems Engineer you will...

* Your primary responsibility will be to apply and maintain an understanding of navigation, sensors, estimation, and sensor fusion. You will work with a breadth of sensor models including but not limited to inertial measurement unit (IMU), global positioning system (GPS), and electro-optical (EO) models, and work with vendors and sponsors to refine and improve methodologies.
* You will develop, implement, and study flight systems in a simulation environment with a focus on navigation models. You will apply simulations to predict behavior as well as identify potential system pitfalls, and utilize Monte Carlo and other data techniques to understand trends from simulation output and perform high-level system design trades.
* You will interface navigation systems with and develop/modify algorithms for flight system guidance and control.
* You will perform tests of model hardware in both a lab environment and on an actual system. You will provide test support and post-test analysis of hardware and navigation algorithms implemented in onboard software.

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

* Possess a B.S. or M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering or other related technical discipline
* Have 2 years of experience working with state estimation or control systems analysis and design
* Are skilled in development and analysis of inertial navigation systems, sensors, and state estimation via Kalman or other optimal filtering algorithms
* Have relevant experience in building physics based models, applying system dynamics and equations of motion in a simulation environment
* Have experience with MATLAB, C or other programming language.
* Possess strong communication skills, both verbal and written. Must work effectively in a team environment and be able to multi-task and support multiple development projects concurrently
* Hold an active Secret security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

* Have a PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or other related technical discipline.
* Are experienced with flight system guidance and control algorithm development
* Have experience with national imagery, image processing, or terrain aided navigation algorithms.
* Have a desire to take on leadership and business development opportunities
* Have experience with software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop development.

Why work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. With a wide selection of challenging, impactful work and a robust education assistance program, APL promotes a culture of life-long learning. Our employees enjoy generous benefits and healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

APL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.