Risk Assessment Engineer-Asteroid Threat

Job Description:

Title: Risk Assessment Engineer - Asteroid Threat Assessment & Engineering Risk Assessment

Job Description:

AMA is seeking a full time Risk Assessment Engineer to support Asteroid Threat Assessment and Engineering work with NASA Ames. The Engineering Risk Assessment (ERA) team at NASA Ames Research Center develops physics-based probabilistic risk models and simulations for NASA’s Asteroid Threat Assessment Project (ATAP), space missions, and aerospace systems. In particular, the team performs risk assessment evaluating the threat due to potential asteroid strikes on Earth, and system risk assessments supporting the development of next-generation launch vehicles and space exploration missions. This position will help to develop risk models and perform risk assessment studies in support of NASA’s Asteroid Threat Assessment Project and Engineering Risk Assessment team. Primary work will support asteroid impact risk assessment for ATAP, with potential future projects supporting system risk modeling for the ERA team.

Candidates available to support work on-site at NASA Ames for 2-3 days/week are preferred, but highly qualified remote candidates will be considered. The salary for this position will be $115,000 to $165,000, commensurate with experience, education, and work location.

Responsibilities:

• Developing and applying asteroid impact risk models and physics-based models (such as probabilistic risk, atmospheric entry, fragmentation, damage, or orbital propagation models).
• Developing and maintaining risk model codes (including architecture and algorithm development, porting models between codes, code documentation, and version control).
• Running large probabilistic simulations on supercomputing environments.
• Performing asteroid risk assessment studies, research, and analysis work to advance asteroid threat assessment capabilities.
• Model development involving generating or using numerical simulation results, code comparisons, parametric studies, fitting analytical/statistical models, or training machine learning/deep learning models on result datasets.
• Strong programming, statistics, and data analysis skills.
• Researching new subjects in existing literature or data sources and expanding that knowledge to develop new modeling approaches and solve new problems.
• Producing high-quality publications, presentations, and reports of key studies and results
  
  

Requirements:

• Advanced degree (M.S or Ph.D.) in a physical sciences, engineering, math, or computing discipline (aerospace engineering, aeronautics/astronautics, astrophysics, physics, astronomy, computer science, math, or similar related subjects).
• At least 1-2 years of experience related to risk assessment, physics modeling, asteroids, data analysis, and/or system engineering; Knowledge and experience in subjects related to probabilistic risk assessment, asteroids, atmospheric entry modeling, aerodynamics, impact hazard modeling, numerical simulation, data analysis, statistics, data visualization, machine learning, use of supercomputing systems, space system design, or system engineering is desired.
• At least 1-2 years of experience with programming and analysis in C , Python, MATLAB, and/or other similar codes. Candidates must have strong programming, physics modeling, and/or data analysis skills in Python, C , and data analysis codes such as Matlab or R.
• Candidates must be self-motivated and able to work effectively both independently and collaboratively as part of an integrated team. Candidates should have the initiative and aptitude to independently research, learn, and expand upon new subjects to grow team knowledge and capabilities.
• Strong written and oral communication skills are required to produce quality journal publications, conference presentations, and reports.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Progress toward a degree (Undergraduate or graduate) in technical areas of relevance to entry systems.
• This position is restricted to US citizens and US permanent residents.
  
  

AMA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited under Federal, State, or local laws.

Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) is proud of our customer relationships, our diverse and dynamic work environment, and our employees' career satisfaction. AMA is a small business with a wide reach; headquartered in Hampton, VA, AMA has operations in Greenbelt, MD; Huntsville, AL; Dallas and Houston, TX; Denver, CO; Mountain View, CA; and Edwards Air Force Base, CA. With over 60 years of experience, AMA specializes in aerospace engineering, science, analytics, information technology, and visualization solutions. AMA combines the best of engineering, science, and mathematics capabilities with the latest in information technologies, visualization, and multimedia to build creative solutions. We offer competitive salaries and a substantial benefits package, including but not limited to paid personal and federally recognized holiday leave, salary deferrals into a 401(k)-matching plan with immediate vesting, tuition reimbursement, short/long term disability plans, and a variety of medical, dental, and vision insurance options.

AMA is committed to the professional growth of every employee, understanding that the successes of our employees drive our success. We provide a work environment that is engaging, collaborative, and supportive. To learn more about our company, please visit our website at www.ama-inc.com/careers and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

AMA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited under federal, state, or local laws.