Senior Research Associate: Aerospace Engineering

OUR STATEMENT
The San Jose State University Research Foundation (SJSURF) is committed to building a work environment where everyone can show up as their own self and have an opportunity to contribute, develop, and advance in their career. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are core values of the organization. We strive to attract, retain, and develop employees who reflect the community and society where we work and live. The Research Foundation aims to develop a culture where everyone feels welcome, shares their views, and where differences in backgrounds and perspectives are seen as adding value.

GENERAL NATURE OF POSITION

The Psychology Department at San Jose State University is involved in collaborative research efforts with civil service scientists from the U.S. Army's Technology Development Directorate (TDD) Research Group at the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA. This is a senior-level engineering position with TDD focused on Flight Test, Flight Controls and Autonomy as it relates to the Army's Future Vertical Lift (FVL) and Contested Logistics (CL) modernization priorities. The work is centered on research and development efforts of rotorcraft flight control technologies and operations for both manned and unmanned systems and optionally piloted air-vehicles.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform research and development in the areas of flight controls, handling qualities, and autonomy for manned and unmanned vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

• Provide subject matter expertise to program offices and industry partners in the aforementioned technical areas.

• Perform as the flight test engineer for flight controls research and development of the UH-60M RASCAL X test aircraft to include conducting simulation and flight tests with the ADOCS++ control laws; collecting system identification data; and completing full flight envelope block diagrams.

• Perform as the principal investigator for the Advanced Rotorcraft Configurations Testing of Increased Capabilities (ARCTIC) simulations in the NASA Ames Vertical Motion Simulator (VMS).

• Support the Rotorcraft In-Flight Laboratory (RIFL) team with the development, validation and flight testing of the new RASCAL X Vehicle Mission Management Computer (VMMC); development, validation, and flight testing of partial authority flight control and Mission Adaptive Autonomy (MAA) on the EH-60L aircraft; and development, integration, and demonstration of MAA on the CH-47.

• Work with the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) Program Office to review flight control, handling qualities, and flight test efforts. Participate in FLRAA design reviews and keep abreast of flight test plans for the FLRAA aircraft.

• Serve as subject matter expert on safety of flight review boards for the RASCAL X, EH-60L and UH-60M MATRIX.

• Oversee and manage the Army's RASCAL X and EH-60L System Integration Laboratories at Ames.

• Attain proficiency with Army's flight control and system identification tools, including CIFER, CONDUIT, and RIPTIDE.

• Provide technical support to the Technical Project Officers on the international Project Agreements with Canada, France and Germany.

• Communicate research results through technical presentations and written reports.

• Mentor junior engineers, transfer knowledge, and help ensure continuity of branch operations.

• Provide technical support to the Technology Area Lead (TAL) for the flight controls/handling qualities technology area.

INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS

Reports to the Project Director. Interacts with Foundation research staff and civil service staff on a daily basis via telephone, email, Teams, and/or in-person. Telework from an approved location is permitted.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• MS in Aerospace Engineering or related field required.

• Education in the following areas: Numerical analysis and statistical methods, flight dynamics and control; aircraft simulation; classical and optimal control; linear control theory.

• Experience in an applied research setting is highly desired.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to work on collaborative teams or independently.

• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research.

• General knowledge of flight control and fixed/rotary wing aircraft and unmanned aerial system (UAS) controls.

• Demonstrated strong competency in MATLAB, Simulink, Python, and/or C/C++.

• Experience conducting design reviews, peer reviews and technical meetings.

Physical Requirements

• Must be willing to travel domestically and internationally.

• Located at the NASA Ames Research Center. Employee must meet security qualifications for entrance to Ames Research Center.

• Candidate must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident.

• Frequent and ongoing use of a computer terminal to conduct a variety of the more advanced clerical functions and communications.

• Periodic, regular, and/or occasional contact with employees of the Research Foundation at all levels, San Jose State University faculty and staff, and/or vendors, with the ability to discuss and appropriately respond to inquiries and requests.

• Work with time constraints and under pressure.

• Periodic regular lifting, walking, and carrying of files, documents and other related materials.

• Strength, dexterity, and coordination and/or ability to use a computer keyboard and read a video display terminal on a regular basis.

• Ability to listen to verbal requests from customers, clients, and vendors, and to respond appropriately.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the SJSURF. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or the continued employment of current SJSURF employees who apply for the position.

Compensation Range:

BENEFITS
The SJSURF provides an excellent benefits package to benefited employees. The comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Four company health insurance plans to choose from (employee contributions differ according to plan and level of coverage).

• Employer-paid dental and vision for both employee and eligible dependents.

• Life, AD&D, LTD with supplemental coverage opportunities.

• 14 paid federal & state holidays.

• Retirement Plan: 403 (b) employee contribution plan component and a 403 (b) employer contribution component, which vests immediately.

• Vacation-hour accruals and separate sick-hour accumulations.

• Employee discounts.

• Paid training and professional-development conferences.

Please visit the Benefits & Compensation page on the SJSURF website for more detailed information.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The SJSURF is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with physical or mental disabilities in the employment, recruitment, examination, interviewing, and hiring processes. If you are a job seeker with a physical or mental disability, and you require a reasonable accommodation to search, apply, or interview for a job opening or otherwise need a reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process, please contact us at foundation-jobs@sjsu.edu. In the email message, please indicate your full name, phone number and the type of assistance required. You must not reveal the underlying medical reason for your needed reasonable accommodation or otherwise disclose confidential medical information.

ABOUT THE SJSU RESEARCH FOUNDATION
SJSURF employment is separate and distinct from San Jose State University (SJSU) or state of California employment. SJSURF employees are not employees of SJSU or of the state of California. SJSURF is a non-profit auxiliary of SJSU. SJSURF is totally self-supported. The majority of the organization's funding comes from the federal government, and other public and private entities. With annual revenues totaling over $65 million, programs managed through SJSURF cover a rich diversity of applied research, public services, and educational-related activities.

San Jose State University Research Foundation is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. It also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.

It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. All employment practices such as recruitment, selection, promotions, and other terms and conditions of employment are administered in a manner designed to ensure that employees and applicants for employment or services are not subjected to discrimination. We are committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity. This policy is in accordance with federal, state and local laws and reaffirms the Research Foundation's continuing commitment to both the spirit and intent of equal employment opportunity laws and policies.

San Jose State University Research Foundation is an EOE M/F/Vet/Disability. Learn more about our organizations EEO and AAP policy by visiting our website HERE. Data metrics on the AAP is available for review upon request. Please also visit OFCCP for additional resources: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters.

If you have any questions or need assistance or an accommodation in completing this application, please contact Research Foundation HR at (408) 924-5582.

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