The Aerospace Radar Simulation Engineer helps model the descent the landing of the Human Lander System (HLS) for NASAs HLS navigation team. From radar modelling and visualization to descent dynamics, this position will require a well-rounded background of radar modelling skills, experience with computer programming, and the desire to perform high fidelity analyses to help prevent damage and destruction of the involved HLS systems.

Description:

The Space Exploration Group (JSEG) Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNandC) team is a high performing group executing challenging tasks to design and integrate GNandC systems for NASA projects ranging from NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) to NASAs Human Lander System. We are searching for highly qualified candidates to support NASAs Flight Dynamics Team in the Guidance, Navigation, and Mission Analysis branch at NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center. This exciting work will serve as a critical step in sending humans back to the Moon, Mars and beyond!

Provide demonstrated (minimum of 10 years) radar expertise to support the Human Landing Systems (HLS) program navigation team at the level of a Subject Matter Expert, as part of the Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) discipline. Specifically, this task will entail radar modeling and provide landing radar performance analysis of HLS descent trajectories to the surface of the Moon, and will incorporate all relevant models, including surface topology, and rocket plume and regolith plume induced dust degradation effects during landing to specific landing sites. Performs trade studies to assess navigation performance under dispersed radar model parameters to assess uncertainty of unknown model parameters, and evaluates navigation margins for Space X, Blue Origin, and government Design Reference Missions. Develops in-house radar models and/or integrates radar sensor models from providers into 6-DOF simulations such as the GeneraLized Aerospace Simulation in Simulink (GLASS) tool. Tasking may also include use or development of visualization tools of landing sites to aid radar navigation analysis. Programming skills and mentoring abilities are highly desired.

Job Functions:

Modeling and simulation of landing radar performance analysis of HLS descent trajectories to the surface of the Moon

Integration of all relevant models into the radar simulation, including surface topology, and rocket plume and regolith plume induced dust degradation effects during landing to specific landing sites

Performs trade studies to assess navigation performance under dispersed radar model parameters to assess uncertainty of unknown model parameters, and evaluates navigation margins for government Design Reference Missions and government partners

Assesses partner radar test data and partner radar sensors and models

Develops in-house radar models and/or integrates radar sensor models from providers into 6-DOF simulations such as the GeneraLized Aerospace Simulation in Simulink (GLASS) tool

Tasking may also include use or development of visualization tools of landing sites to aid radar navigation analysis.

Execute/modify existing software/scripts in Python, Matlab, Fortran, C++

Generate requirement specifications for separation systems

Day to day activities include:

Radar modeling and simulation of HLS descent, including simulation integration, visualization, analysis, and trade studies supporting NASAs HLS Navigation team.

Dynamic modeling descent trajectory of HLS.

Creating, editing and debugging software written in Python, Matlab, Fortran, and C/C++.

Optimization and improvement of analysis tools and GNandC models.

Working with GNandC leads and other engineering disciplines.

Supporting the verification and validation of technical products.

Creation and review of engineering and software documentation.

Preparing and presenting technical reports and briefings.

Job Requirements:

(98G) A degree in Aerospa e Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or related field is required. A degree from an ABET-accredited university is preferred. Typically, educational requirements are the equivalent of a Ph.D. with a minimum 4 years of experience; MS with at least 8 years of experience, or a BS with at least 10 years of experience.

(98J) A degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or related field is required. A degree from an ABET-accredited university is preferred. Typically, educational requirements are the equivalent of a Ph.D. with a minimum 19 years of experience; MS with at least 23 years of experience, or a BS with at least 25 years of experience.

The candidate is REQUIRED to have the following skills and experiences:

Matlab and Simulink experience

BASH experience

Significant radar experience

To be successful in this position, the applicant must be detail oriented, work independently and collaboratively, possess strong communication and interpersonal skills, and will typically possess some of the following skills:

Radar and LIDAR experience

Dynamically model descent systems

CAD experience, Design of Experiments experience

Python, Fortran, C++ programming experience

Familiarity with Linux, Bash, and the use of computational clusters/servers

Support the design, integration, and analysis of GNandC products.

Configure, conduct, and analyze 6-DOF Monte Carlo simulations