Engineer, Aerospace

USRA is the prime contractor for the NASA Academic Mission Services (NAMS) contract at NASA Ames Research Center. Our NAMS mission is to perform strategic multi-disciplinary research and development that supports NASA’s long-term mission requirements across aeronautics, space and earth sciences, and advanced information technologies.

This position is for an Aerospace Engineer to support the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) project. The primary tasks include defining a candidate operational concept and developing basic algorithms to provide autonomous Air Traffic Management (ATM) services to all types of airspace users that will enable safe integration of autonomous vehicles into the national airspace. The concept is targeted for a future Air Traffic Management (ATM) system where clearances and trajectories generated by the autonomously operating algorithms can be sent to aircraft via a secure data link. The successful candidate will lead research related to autonomous aerial systems, working in close collaboration with the Aviation Systems Division of NASA’s Ames Research Center.
 

Position Summary:

The Aerospace Engineer will work on a collaborative team along with other scientists and engineers to research, develop, and test solutions before they are field-tested and eventually deployed. The work is focused on developing a software platform that hosts the algorithms necessary for autonomous operations in both En Route and Terminal Area airspaces.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Conduct research, development, and evaluation of advanced air traffic control and management automation concepts. Propose new automation concepts and algorithms, help identify issues, and provide solution recommendations.
• Research requirements and propose a software development plan that considers current simulation software platforms
• Interact with senior researchers, customer (i.e., NASA), and other project engineers to develop and execute research plans which include milestones, requirements, schedules, design & development activities, deliverables
• Publish as first or second author in peer-reviewed technical papers and journals. Presents own research at seminars and conferences.
• Other job related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• PhD degree in Aeronautics, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering

Experience:

• 2 to 4 years of professional experience in the following areas: aerospace engineering, control systems and system dynamics, linear and non-linear optimization, or simulation and modeling of dynamic systems
• Prior experience in air traffic management, aircraft control, aerodynamic modeling, flight simulation, and trajectory optimization
• Demonstrated excellence in a related research and development environment and a sustained record of academic publications

Skills:

• Strong analytical skills
• Advanced background and experience in numerical analysis, algorithms and scientific computation
• Strong software development skills
• Knowledge and experience in one programming language such as Java, C, C++

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in air transportation system operations and dynamics, decision-support tool development and testing
• Advanced background and experience in dynamics, modeling and control as applied to multiple engineering domains
• Knowledge of Machine Learning and Data Mining.

Attributes:

• Strong oral and written communications skills
• Ability to interact effectively in an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to prioritize and self-manage work to meet critical project timelines in a fast-paced environment

Technology:

• Java, C, C++
• Scripting languages such as Python or MatLab for data analysis
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and its applications

Working Conditions:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, etc. Extensive online usage. This is largely a sedentary role.

Travel:

Minimal travel

All interested candidates must apply directly on our website at https://usracareers.silkroad.com/

USRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity