GNC/Trajectory Engineer

General Overview

APEX TK is looking for an amazing GNC / Trajectory Engineer to join our team! In this role you will support MDA Targets and Countermeasures program in performing technical analysis and assessment of missile defense targets, specifically in areas of Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC), Modeling & Simulation (M&S), trajectory, and vehicle performance.

Job Description (What You'll Be Doing)

• Support the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) office with development of Missile Defense System (MDS) target vehicles
• Support all aspects of target design, analysis, and test to include requirements development and assessment, modeling and simulation, analysis, and reporting
• Technical focus areas include Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC), Modeling and Simulation (M&S), and vehicle performance assessments
• Assess target vehicle GNC design and performance
• Generate and analyze target vehicle 6-DoF and 3-DoF trajectory data using industry standard (e.g., TAOS) and in-house developed (e.g., MATLAB, Python, C++) tools
• Collaborate with a dynamic team of experts in multiple technical areas
• Utilize knowledge, skills, and experience with missile characteristics, design, and analysis to support engineering activities and data product development

Required Skills (What Required Skills You Bring)

• Bachelor's degree with 20+ years of working on missile defense-related or other DoD programs/projects OR a Master's degree and 12+ years working on missile defense-related or other DoD programs/projects
• Possess/able to obtain Active DoD Secret security clearance
• Experience working independently and/or leading teams/tasks to analyze and resolve engineering/technical problems
• Strong understanding of principles of aerodynamics; equations of motion; coordinate systems; vehicle dynamics; guidance, navigation, and control; etc.
• Experience with missile trajectory analysis to include working in different coordinate frames, endo- and exo-atmospheric behaviors, and identifying key trajectory parameters
• Proficient with MATLAB and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Travel up to 25% of the time

Preferred Skills (Desired but not Required)

• Master's degree in STEM field (e.g., physics, engineering, math, etc.)
• Familiarity with MDA programs and processes
• Skilled in use of M&S tools (e.g., TAOS, STK)
• Experience with missiles, targets, missile defense systems or hypersonic weapons