Guidance Navigation and Control Software Engineer III/IV - Kratos Defense

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

Come be part of a team working on the latest advancements in unmanned aircraft. Get to work on groundbreaking designs that will be the future of tactical aviation. Help implement the control laws and flight control systems for our next generations of unmanned tactical air systems and target drones. Utilize your experience in real time control systems software development to implement the flight control laws for our tactical air systems and target drones. Work in a fast-paced environment that rapidly develops and deploys state of the art unmanned aircraft to a diverse array of customers and applications. Be a part of the future of unmanned aviation.

*This position may consider remote candidates DOE* #LI-Onsite, #LI-Remote

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The duties and responsibilities listedbelow apply to all levels of Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineers. Each successive level of Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer builds on job functions listed for the previous level(s) of Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer.

• Aircraft dynamics, subsystem modeling and simulation
• Control system gain and filter design and stability margin evaluation
• Evaluation of flight dynamics, flying qualities, and aircraft flight path performance
• Perform non-linear control system robustness testing
• Design and implement operator interfaces, autonomous logic algorithms, waypoint following, and path generation algorithms
• Guidance algorithm development implementation, analysis and test
• Navigation system design, implementation, analysis, and test
• Derive subsystem requirements and specifications
• Support subsystem implementation, testing and verification
• Flight test planning, execution, and analysis
• Support aircraft design at all phases of development
• Wind tunnel test planning support
• Support various hardware/software design, test, troubleshooting, and documentation activities
• Analyses in support of requirements generation, verification, and validation
• Prepare formal, controlled engineering documentation (i.e. drawings, specifications, test procedures, technical reports, etc.).
• Prepare and presents design review material in support of technical interchange meetings with suppliers and external/internal customers.
• Support customer training activities
• Foreign and domestic travel to support flight test activities
• Experience in implementing real time software utilizing C and C++.

Guidance, Navigation, & Control Engineer III

• Performs complex engineering tasks as assigned by their manager.
• Supports program planning of engineering activities through detailed scope definition.
• May act as System Engineer to help communicate top level requirements to subsystems and determine proper verification and validation methods.
• Reports progress on engineering efforts to technical leadership.
• Provides direction and oversight, both technically and programmatically, to Guidance, Navigation, & Control Engineers.
• Establishes and maintains best practices for design, analysis, and testing responsibilities held by the Guidance, Navigation, and Control group.
• Mentors Level I-II Guidance, Navigation, & Control Engineers.

Guidance, Navigation, & Control Engineer IV

• Provide oversight to the Guidance, Navigation, and Control group to help prioritize and delegate group work given the companys programmatic requirements.
• Manages the engineering teams effort and time within the budget and schedule provided for the task.
• Acts as key liaison for programs (both internal and external) on all matters having to do with aerodynamic design and performance, stability and control, propulsion, modeling and simulation, and verification.
• Stays current on the "state-of-the-practice" through training and industry involvement/exposure, and mentors the Guidance, Navigation, and Control group with this knowledge.
• Mentors Level I-III Guidance, Navigation, & Control Engineers.

Other Job Functions

• Other duties may be assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

No

Keyword: Guidance Navigation and Control Software Engineer
Required Experience:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Required

• Understanding of basic aircraft dynamic modes
• Understanding of flight control logic and automation
• Ability to create a runtime environment for autonomous functions
• Knowledge of basic software development process
• Demonstrated focus on customer satisfaction
• Demonstrated strong communication skills
• Must be able to work in a multidisciplinary team environment
• Ability to travel as necessary to perform job duties
• Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information as required by government standards
• Ability to interact effectively with peers and supervisors
• Ability to interact appropriately with the public when necessary
• Ability to adhere to workplace rules
• Ability to travel as necessary to perform job duties
• Ability to effectively communicate professionally in writing or verbally with all levels of personnel
• Demonstrated passion for customer satisfaction.
• May be required to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance at the appropriate level (requires U.S. Citizenship)

Preferred Skills:

• MATLAB and Simulink experience strongly preferred
• Familiarity with C/C++ and Java software is strongly preferred
• Familiarity with unmanned aircraft systems and operations is preferred
• Understanding of autopilot flight control design is strongly preferred
• Familiarity with unmanned aircraft systems and operations is preferred
• Familiarity with software configuration management systems is preferred

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Each successive level of Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer builds on the identified education and experience qualifications listed for the previous level(s) of Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer. May be required to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance at the appropriate level (requires U.S. Citizenship)

Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer III

• Requires BS degree in Engineering (Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering preferred)
• 6 + years related experience in related engineering discipline
• 3+ years lead engineer experience in the aerospace industry.

Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer IV

• Requires BS degree in Engineering (MS Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering preferred)
• 11 + years related experience in related engineering discipline
• 6+ years lead engineer experience in the aerospace industry

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Office and or manufacturing environment
• Ability to stand and sit for long periods of time
• Ability to perform repetitive motion (keyboarding, 10-key phones)
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds
• Frequent outside contact with customers and suppliers
• May work extended hours or weekends

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• 10-25% May be required to support flight test activities, new business development, and customer maintenance occasionally