Infrared Hard Body Systems Engineer
Position Overview:
Threat Systems Engineering (TSE) is responsible for the development and delivery of high-fidelity threat modeling products in support of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and MDA's Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). TSE is responsible for the development of Modeling and Simulation (M&S) used to simulate element models of MDA's BMDS, including kinematic missile modeling, IR signature modeling, data production/analysis activities, and maintenance/sustainment activities for the entire TSE software baseline. TSE is a cornerstone element to the Threat and Advanced Simulations Development (TASD) contract.
This position requires a detail-oriented engineer responsible for capturing and documenting requirements as they pertain to the infrared signature representation of a missile as well as developing infrared hard body missile threat models for use in a variety of modeling and simulation tools/frameworks/media. This position will be located on-site at Schriever Space Force Base, in Colorado Springs, CO.
To successfully support the mission, the IRHB Engineer will be involved in direct discussions and collaborations with threat stakeholders, intelligence analysts, and fellow engineers to achieve highest fidelity representation and simulation of missile systems' objects. The selected individual will work with little to no direct supervision, work as an integral member of an Integrated Threat Package (ITP) production and delivery team, and meet critical delivery schedules.
This role requires employees to be on-site daily with no option for remote/hybrid work.
Essential Functions:
Will gain experience with threat model phenomenology with focus on IR signatures
- Will gain experience with IR signature predictions and simulation models
- Will work with the team to ensure completion of data production needs in support of MDA Ground Test Modeling and Simulation
- Will work in close coordination with TSE's Software Engineers for support to ensure the timely provision of tools needed in ITP production
- Will work in close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders in the development of IRHB models for new systems and updates to existing missile systems
- Will gain experience in understanding stakeholders' requirements and work with the team to ensure vigilant Verification and Validation (V&V) process of deliverables
- Will work with the team to ensure automation and tools improvement are rightfully coordinated – aiming to attain utmost efficiency and meet Leadership objectives
- Will work on defined schedule to timely support MDA Ground Test Modeling and Simulation events
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) discipline with 2 years of relevant experience, or a Master's Degree in a STEM discipline and 0 years of related work experience
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% of the time to support business needs
- Applicants must have a current, active, in-scope U.S. Government Department of Defense (DoD)–issued Secret security clearance at the time of application, which is required to start.
- Experience with technical analysis of modeling and simulation of data sets
- Familiarity with the flight characteristics, motion, and performance of missile systems
- Familiarity with hard body heating of objects and their corresponding signature representation
- Experience with Verification and Validation of modeling and simulation of signatures data
- Experience with scripting/automation languages, such as Python, Bash, or MATLAB
- Must have a good understanding of modeling and simulation methods and processes
- Must be familiar with infrared signature concepts and physics behind hard body heating and how they affect infrared intensities
- Must be result-focused, work well within a dynamic team environment, be self-motivated, and be able to produce reliable products and documentation within established deadlines
Preferred Qualifications:
Strong math, physics, and/or engineering background is preferred
- Previous experience with analyzing flight characteristics, motion, atmospheric dynamics, and missile performance parameters of ballistic missiles is highly desirable
- Strong background in missile system engineering performance
- Mastery of engineering modeling principles behind body motion, trajectory analysis, counter measures, debris, and signature modeling is a plus
- Background in IR Signatures modeling
- Familiarity with Optical Signatures Code (OSC)
- Experience in Agile software development methodologies, including Scrum, Kanban, and Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer:
Crossflow ensures that employment decisions and personnel actions are administered fairly, equitably, and in compliance with the federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing EEO and personnel management. All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Why Crossflow?
Crossflow Technologies is proud to offer such wonderful benefits and perks to our employees; however, we feel the biggest perk is our company culture. We harbor a culture that extends down to the individual level by hiring people who understand and embrace our company values. Values like fervently protecting work-life balance and celebrating the achievements of others. To help guide and shape this environment, we strive to solicit feedback as frequently as possible through direct conversations and anonymous input. We take great pride in the fact that we have been contenders for the Best Places to Work award for the past few years - particularly when paired with having made the Inc. 5000 list for growth. To us, this demonstrates our ability to effectively scale our culture showing that Crossflow has been and continues to be, a place that people want to be.
Benefit-Eligible Employee Perks:
EXCEPTIONAL HEALTH, DENTAL, AND VISION COVERAGE Crossflow is pleased to offer employees with exceptional single and family options for health, dental, and vision coverage. Payments are taken from the first two paychecks of each month.
At a glance,
- Health coverage choices (including an HSA) ranging from $0.00 to $403.14;
- Dental coverage ranges from $8.23 to $31.65; and
- Vision coverage ranges from $8.28 to $21.80
CROSSFLOW KUDOS SPOT BONUS PROGRAM
We created a unique performance bonus program called Crossflow Kudos. Throughout the year, employees are nominated by other employees, company leads, and even individuals outside of Crossflow to receive additional compensation and personal recognition for their positive work. There are six broad categories in which employees can earn Kudos awards.
401(k) RETIREMENT PLAN & COMPANY MATCHING
Crossflow uses Principal as our 401(k) plan sponsor. Employees can choose payroll deduction and fund investing options. Payroll deductions will begin the month following your enrollment. Crossflow matches 100% of the first 3% of compensation, plus 50% of the next 2% of compensation.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Crossflow Technologies offers benefit-eligible employees participation in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Through the ESOP, eligible employees may receive an ownership interest in the company, creating an opportunity to share in Crossflow's long-term success while building retirement value alongside our other employee benefits.
HIGHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Crossflow offers education assistance to benefit-eligible employees for degree programs at their director's discretion. Crossflow feels that a well-rounded education, even outside of an employee's current role, can enhance an employee's skillset and increase the company's value.
GENEROUS PTO ACCRUAL & FLEXIBLE LEAVE POLICY
Crossflow currently grants 11 federally observed paid holidays. In addition to these holidays, Crossflow offers a minimum of 2 weeks of paid time off (PTO) to all full-time employees. Employees may utilize PTO for any reason (sickness, vacation, personal day, etc.) and can carry over a maximum of 120 hours from year to year. Many employees are authorized to work additional hours within a normal, forty-hour pay period. This approval is included in the employee's offer letter for employment. These extra hours may be banked for compensatory (comp) time off.
PAID PARENTAL & BEREAVEMENT LEAVE
To help our employees be present with family during major life events, Crossflow provides additional PTO. We offer varying types of paid Parental Leave to aid birthing, non-birthing, and adoptive parents transition into parenthood. Crossflow also recognizes the importance of supporting employees who endure a death in their family by providing up to 5 days of paid Bereavement Leave a year.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING
We support employees who seek out personal or professional growth opportunities through countless of enabling programs to further equip themselves. Professional Development includes, but is not limited to, training courses, certificate programs, memberships to industry groups, and materials.
EMPLOYEE DRIVEN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
We create as many opportunities as possible for employees to meet and build community. We offer monthly team bonding activities, allowing team members to assemble on a different level than at work. In addition to these gatherings, in 2021 we established Crossflow Cares, an employee-owned and operated charitable organization focused on awarding grants and providing volunteers to local non-profits. Furthermore, Crossflow Technologies is committed to serving the public by investing a large portion of our net income in the greater Huntsville/Madison County area.
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM & MORALE LUNCHES
The most successful people in the world always have a terrific team behind them, and Crossflow chooses to be the team behind the people, cheering our employees on to meaningful successes. Our Mentorship Program involves strategically pairing a protégé with a mentor who understands an employee's career aspirations and provides coaching towards that goal. A less structured version of this is our Morale Lunch program. We committed a portion of our budget to support our leads to meet with their team members over lunch and facilitate quality catch up sessions. The morale lunches have become a great tool for maintaining open communication and gaining insightful feedback.