Laser Vulnerability High Fidelity Modeling Research Engineer/Scientist | Air Force Research Laboratory
Air Force Research Lab - Kirtland AFB
Description
Engineer/Scientist in the Directed Energy Directorate, Laser Division, Effects Modeling and Simulation Branch.
- Position duties include but are not limited to:
- Expertise in the principles of laser-material interactions, the material’s response to the absorbed light, and the impact to a larger system from these material changes.
- Expertise in laser-material interactions requires knowledge in multiple technical disciplines to include, but not limited to materials, heat transfer, aerodynamics, structural mechanics, hydrodynamics, and radiation transport.
- Expertise in numerical modeling techniques and associated mathematics to model the equations associated with the necessary physics for this problem. In addition, this position requires the skill set to run and develop computational tools in a workstation or high-performance, parallel computing environment.
- This position will participate in the development, planning, and execution of research projects using modeling and simulation to examine component, sub-system, and system response to a laser engagement. Specific knowledge of the design and operation of aerospace systems is helpful.
- Coordination with experimentalists to understand laboratory light-matter interaction experiments, their diagnostics, and the results of these experiments relative to model validation.
- Validation and verification of models to develop predictive capabilities.
- Perform analysis evaluating the response of threat systems to the use of laser weapons.
- Collaborating with other services, agencies and S&E's across many technical disciplines to conduct this research.
- Prepare and present briefings summarizing the results of these analyzes.
Telework
No, this position is not eligible for telework opportunities
Remote Work (CONUS)
No, this position is not approved for remote work.
Required Qualifications
- US Citizenship
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
- A BS with 7+ years of relevant occupational experience, MS with 3+ years of relevant occupational experience, or a PhD in Engineering or Science.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with lasers (modeling & simulation, hardware, or preferably both)
- Coding experience with Python, C++, Matlab, Fortran, and parallel computing
- Experience with uncertainty quantification analysis (ex. Sandia’s Dakota)
- Experience modeling thermal transport and thermal-mechanical failure in a wide range of materials, components, and systems
- Familiarity with engagement analysis codes/frameworks (ex. AFSIM, BRAWLER, EADSIM)
- Familiarity with high-end, first principal physics analysis involving: computational fluid dynamics, structural mechanics, and multi-physics simulations such as fluid structure interaction or magneto-hydrodynamics
- Familiarity with one or more of the following numerical methods: finite element, finite difference, finite volume, arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian
- Familiarity with computer model verification and validation
- A background in 2 or more of the following areas: aerodynamics, numerical modeling and simulation, statistics, laser-materials interaction, weapon lethality analysis
- Proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint