Overview:

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry. GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.   

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do: 

1. Students are our top priority.
2. We strive for excellence.
3. We thrive on diversity.
4. We celebrate collaboration.
5. We champion innovation.
6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community.
8. We act ethically.
9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Project/Unit Description

The Signals and Systems Division of the Advanced Concepts Lab (ACL) is currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Aerospace Engineer in our Colorado Springs Field Office. The Signals and Systems Division engages in research related to high-impact, technical analysis for U.S. Government projects. The division's mission is to shape the development of next-generation technical capabilities and strengthen our national defense through leading-edge research and analytic support, informed by a deep knowledge of operational capabilities, current intelligence, and the related information environment. The Advanced Concepts Laboratory develops tailored solutions for a broad range of national security challenges through disciplined application of physics- and effects-based modeling to realizable systems, augmented with prototype development and testing. ACL’s research thrusts extend across domains, and include bio-, chemical-, RF-, and optical-sensor physics; materials science and engineering; electromagnetic theory, computation, structures, and measurements; electronic warfare techniques and applications; operational scenario modeling and simulation; traditional and asymmetric threat analysis; and ground maneuver warfare.

The Aerospace Engineer will lead research related to advanced space systems technologies, advise on aerospace technologies in support of multi-domain mission engineering and operations analysis, support hardware-in-the-loop and live flight tests of advanced weapons technologies, advise on potential use concepts leveraging emerging civilian and military technology. The successful candidate will manage projects and programs to meet objectives, working with sponsors, engineers, and GTRI management to achieve success. They will also participate in sponsor engagement efforts to identify potential opportunities, develop proposals, and manage business lines.

SASD research engineers and scientists work on a variety of tasks, varying from project to project and depending on the individual's skills and interests. Opportunity is provided to grow through learning experiences at work. The types of tasks include:
• Development of revolutionary space systems technologies
• Analysis of alternatives
• Systems performance evaluation
• Requirements analysis
• Risk assessments
• Evaluation of test results
• System performance prediction

Job Purpose

Engage in the research, design, development, construction, testing, science and technology of aircraft and spacecraft. Pertaining to the study of science behind the forces and physical properties of aircraft, rockets, flying craft, and spacecraft. Perform physical experimentation on aerospace systems and components of aerospace systems. Handles computational modeling of aerodynamics, performance and control of aerospace systems. May also cover aero-acoustic experimentation and modeling and propulsion testing and modeling.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop methods and perform research tasks to meet project objectives including directing others
• Lead or contribute to the development of whitepapers and proposals to support a research area
• Support sponsors and potential sponsors engagement
• Primary author of sections technical reports/presentations of projects, journal articles, and conference presentations

Additional Responsibilities

• Present technical work to internal leadership and external sponsors
• Advise senior government and industry stakeholders in strategy related to space technologies
• Develop skills and training as part of the greater GTRI workforce
• Work in government spaces, such as local U.S. Space Force facilities
• Lead technical projects based on operational analysis of advanced systems of systems
• Capture external funding for future projects that involve operational scenarios and architecture analysis

Required Minimum Qualifications

• BS in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Astronautical Engineering
• Candidates currently enrolled in an accredited degree program relevant to this position will be considered. The candidate must have a graduation date of no later than December 2024.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to convey highly technical material in a clear, concise manner to a nontechnical audience
• Experience managing multifaceted projects from startup to closeout, including scheduling, budgeting, and resource planning
• Able to act in varied roles as both a technical resource and in leadership positions
• Able to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret Security Clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD TC/SCI Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI Clearance
• MS or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Astronautical Engineering
• Experience simulating the orbital mechanics and sensor coverage of satellite systems
• Spacecraft design experience
• Experience with design of optical sensors, lasers, photodiode arrays, and their application to space systems
• Experience with numerical image processing and data reduction of optical signals
• Software experience with standard engineering tools, such as MATLAB, Python, and MongoDB

Travel Requirements

10% - 25% travel

Education and Length of Experience

This position vacancy is an open-rank announcement. The final job offer will be dependent on candidate qualifications in alignment with Research Faculty Extension Professional ranks as outlined in section 3.2.1 of the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook

• 14 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics
• 12 years of related experience with a Masters’ degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics
• 9 years of related experience with a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics

Please refer to our Research Faculty Technical Level Guidelines for minimum requirements at the higher levels.

U.S. Citizenship Requirements

Due to our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be U.S. Citizens.

Clearance Type Required

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.

Benefits at GTRI

Comprehensive information on currently offered GTRI benefits, including Health & Welfare, Retirement Plans, Tuition Reimbursement, Time Off, and Professional Development, can be found through this link: https://benefits.hr.gatech.edu/.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services.  Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions.  This prohibition applies to faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including affiliates, invitees, and guests. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.