Facility/Instrumentation Engineer

About the role

This is a full-time position that spans two complementary technical areas within the Hypersonics department at Kratos SRE. Approximately half of the candidate's effort (~20 hours per week) will be devoted to supporting the design, development, and commissioning of a new arc jet test facility (Project Helios), working alongside the facility Project Manager and Engineering Lead on facility design, planning, and qualification. The remaining effort (~20 hours per week) will support the department's growing flow diagnostics team, with responsibilities including technical proposal development, and applied research in laser-based diagnostics for high-enthalpy flows and multispectral imaging for test facilities or ranges.

Responsibilities

• Support the systems engineering, design, and commissioning of a new arc jet facility, including arc heater integration, nozzle design, test section layout, and vacuum/exhaust systems
• Develop instrumentation and control strategies for high-enthalpy aerothermal facilities, including data acquisition system architecture and facility control software
• Contribute to facility planning activities, such as interface documentation, schedule coordination, and risk identification, in collaboration with the Helios Project Manager and Engineering Lead
• Support the characterization and qualification of facility performance through intrusive and non-intrusive measurement techniques (e.g., contact calorimetry for heat flux and pressure, laser diagnostics)
• Plan and coordinate material testing in both internal and external high-enthalpy convective facilities
• Design, implement, and field optical and laser-based diagnostic techniques for high-enthalpy and reacting flow environments – examples would include optical emission spectroscopy (OES), tunable-diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS), planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF), and/or schlieren imaging
• Develop and apply multispectral and high-speed imaging techniques for ground test facilities and range applications, including infrared thermography and species-specific emission imaging
• Lead or substantially contribute to the composition of technical proposals targeting DoD, NASA, and commercial research opportunities in flow diagnostics, aerothermodynamics, and aerothermal testing
• Compile and analyze research results, arriving at interpretations; lead technical report composition in area of expertise
• Maintain knowledge and awareness of the engineering discipline through familiarity with current literature and state of technology in the field
• Collaborate with team engineers on complex projects
• Manage personal schedule and prioritize work effectively
• Independently identifies problems and applies sound engineering judgement to arrive at solutions
• Compile and analyze research results, arriving at interpretations
• Communicate results with concise, clear reporting
• Independently evaluates, selects, interprets, and applies standard engineering techniques, processes, and criteria, and uses judgment in making adaptations and modifications to research projects
• Must demonstrate an ability to learn quickly in a complex, high technology environment
• Perform other duties and assist other employees, as assigned

Qualifications

• Attention to detail - Utilizes established monitoring system(s), ensures accuracy of reports through peer reviews
• Planning and Organization - Systematically identifies issues to be addressed and plans a course of action for self and others to ensure the accomplishment of specific objectives
• Technical Expertise - Possesses and applies professional/technical knowledge, skills, experience, and judgment to accomplish a result, serve customers better, and contribute to the organization’s intellectual capital
• Communicates with Impact - Expresses thoughts and ideas effectively in individual and group situations; adjusts language to the needs of the audience. Ideas are clearly defined in grammatically correct written communication

Skills

• Attention to detail
• Planning and Organization
• Technical Expertise
• Communicates with Impact

Benefits

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
401(k) Savings Plan
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
Paid Time-Off (PTO)
Holidays

Pay

TBD

Schedule

TBD

Benefits

TBD