Technical Staff: Hypersonic Vehicle Concepts And Analysis

The Interceptor and Sensor Technology Group supports the development of advanced sensor and interceptor technologies for use in future surveillance, missile defense and air defense systems.

The Group is currently supporting programs in the development of air and space-based visible and infrared sensors and state of the art hypersonic vehicle modeling frameworks. Our teams work in a fast paced diverse innovation collaborative model that includes idearation and mentoring. The group is also developing and evaluating seeker and missile system technology to counter hypersonic, cruise, low-cost drone, and ballistic missile threats. Our programs cover a range of activities including prototyping of advanced electro-optical sensors and algorithms, laboratory testing and phenomenology, mission simulations and modeling, field and flight tests, and data analysis and exploitation.

Long Description

The Interceptor and Sensor Technology Group is searching for a candidate to be part of our advanced interceptor and hypersonic project teams. Current and previous programs included work in: modeling of rocket and hypersonic vehicle systems, advanced computational fluid dynamics and related phenomenology, hypersonic vehicle design and flight dynamics, interceptor seeker analysis and modeling, development of advanced guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms, and advanced aero-thermo-mechanical-optical physics, laboratory and field experiment and advanced phenomenology. Our group works in a dynamic and collaborative environment that includes multi-disciplinary teams and analysis. Work categories include:

• Analysis related to hypersonic defense, including assessing challenges and developing innovative solutions, leveraging novel simulation frameworks and advanced modeling and simulation capabilities

• Development of techniques to better understand the impacts of hypersonic environments (i.e. simulation and performance modeling of the aerothermal environment and phenomenology) with a focus on determining system implications

• Translation of analysis results into opportunities for technology prototyping and experimental design, including benchtop, wind tunnels, and shock tubes, at both Lincoln Laboratory and national-level facilities

The candidate should have strong analytic skills and have demonstrated an ability to use industry standard simulation tools and software frameworks. Examples include: US3D, CART3D, Python, MATLAB. Prior experience on projects leveraging tools to create models, analyze data, and characterize and assess performance of systems is required. Prior experience with interceptors, aerodynamics, aerothermodynamics, missile guidance and control, hypersonic vehicle design, vehicle/mission optimization, optical and RF sensor and seeker systems, and phenomenology, is desired.

The candidate must have demonstrated the ability to work on a variety of technical problems, both individually and as a member of a team, and be capable of independently setting personal goals to coordinate and meet the priorities of different projects in a timely manner. A successful candidate will possess a significant amount of initiative in performing independent and project execution setting and meeting critical milestones as well as participating in a fast paced collaborative environment. In addition, candidates with strong communication and presentation skills are desired. Opportunities for presenting and collaborating with a variety of of audiences including both technical and non-technical peers and sponsors will be part of future project elements.

Requirements:

• PhD in Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering, Optics, Physics, Mathematics or other similar fields. A MS with 5 years of relevant experience will also be considered.

Desired:

• Experience utilizing MATLAB, Python or equivalent.

• US3D or other Hypersonic phenomenology and modeling tools,

• Prior modeling of advanced vehicle guidance and control algorithms

• Experimentation experience and wind tunnel testing.

At MIT Lincoln Laboratory, our exceptional career opportunities include many outstanding benefits to help you stay healthy, feel supported, and enjoy a fulfilling work-life balance. Benefits offered to employees include:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans

• MIT-funded pension

• Matching 401K

• Paid leave (including vacation, sick, parental, military, etc.)

• Tuition reimbursement and continuing education programs

• Mentorship programs

• A range of work-life balance options

• ... and much more!

Please visit our Benefits page for more information. As an employee of MIT, you can also take advantage of other voluntary benefits, discounts and perks.

Selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret level DoD security clearance.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or genetic information; U.S. citizenship is required.

Requisition ID: 40864