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USRA · 1 day ago

Senior Scientist, Heliophysics

Huntsville, AL, US

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

10+ years exp

USRA is seeking a full-time Senior Scientist in Heliophysics to work in their Huntsville, AL office. The role involves providing technical support in defining and monitoring plasma environments relevant to human and robotic space exploration, while also evaluating and documenting spacecraft charging analyses and supporting program-specific space environments discipline leads.

AssociationFacility ManagementNon ProfitSpace Travel

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Provide technical support to EV44/Natural Environments Branch in defining and monitoring the plasma environments relevant to human and robotic space exploration

Maintain knowledge of state-of-the-art and evaluate plasma and spacecraft charging research models and engineering tools for use in crewed spacecraft design and development activities

Evaluate space plasma environments and their effects on crewed spacecraft systems

Perform spacecraft charging analyses for in-space and lunar surface crewed assets using Nascap-2k, Ansys Charge Plus, and NUMIT2.0, including particle-in-cell simulations

Document results of evaluations and analysis in the form of internal reports, journal publications, and program technical documents, and present results to internal and external customers

Support program specific space environments discipline leads by attending program spacecraft design discussions, presenting to program-level control boards and meetings, and providing expert consultation to design partners related to plasma interactions with spacecraft surfaces and spacecraft charging analysis. Programs span all near-Earth regions of space, including Low Earth Orbit, Lunar Orbit and Surface, Mars Orbit and Surface, and near-Earth Interplanetary space

Support program specific space environments discipline leads by serving as plasma environment subject matter expert for program milestone and interim document reviews and providing expert evaluation of partner plasma environment definitions, application of environments in design analyses, and detailed review of analyses and accuracy of results. This includes support developing program concerns and risks and supporting or leading activities toward closure

Support program specific space environments discipline leads as a general space environments discipline representative in program and design partner meetings and provide notes to the discipline team for cognizance and discussion

Attend and present work at relevant conferences and technical meetings, approximately four expected per year. Examples of conferences include the Applied Space Environments Conference, Spacecraft Charging Technology Conference, and Space Weather Workshop

Perform other duties as assigned

Candidate will be responsible for securing 25% of their funding (via proposal etc.)

Qualification

Plasma physicsSpacecraft chargingPythonC++Multi-taskingIndependent analysisTechnical writingPresentation skillsTeam collaboration

Required

10+ years of experience in field

Knowledge of plasma physics

Experience with programs such as with Python, C++, or particle-in-cell simulations

Demonstrate strong technical writing and presentation skills

Ability to work on diverse, cross-discipline teams with people of different technical backgrounds

Ability to multi-task and transition between quick turnaround assignments

Demonstrate the capability to plan and perform analyses independently and within a team

Ph.D. in physics, space science, engineering, astrophysics, or similar field from an accredited institution

Proof of US Citizenship is required

Preferred

Knowledge of spacecraft charging highly preferred

Company

USRA

USRA is a premier space and aeronautics organization—solving the nation’s most challenging problems using our deep expertise in research and workforce development, and leveraging the capabilities and leadership of universities.

Founded in 1969

Columbia, Maryland, USA

201-500 employees