Staff Algorithm Engineer

Founded in 1918, Kearfott Corporation, a global Aerospace and Defense supplier for over 100 years, is a leader in the design and manufacture of precision motion control products and inertial navigation components.  Kearfott has a very long history of innovation and excellence and is the go-to brand for many of our global clients. Kearfott is trusted, respected and plays a vital role in the success of America’s aerospace and defense industries. With over a century of expertise & experience, Kearfott is dedicated to providing quality, reliability, and cutting-edge technology to customers worldwide to meet their sea, land, air, and space navigation and guidance requirements.

We are looking for talented individuals who want to be part of a world-class work force. Join Kearfott and become part of a company that is recognized for technical expertise and respected world-wide as a ‘full service’ provider.

For more information visit our website at www.kearfott.com

Staff Algorithm Engineer

Responsibilities

Navigation and Localization

• Assist development, analysis, testing, and production support of algorithm functions and subsystems for navigation, localization, estimation, guidance, control, and sensor fusion.
• Contribute to the development of advanced navigation algorithms and support the transition of algorithms from simulations into embedded implementations.
• Develop and maintain Monte Carlo simulations, covariance analyses, statistical analyses, and other tools used to evaluate algorithm performance.
• Analyze requirements, evaluate technical trade-offs, and define algorithm approaches that satisfy accuracy, robustness, real-time, and implementation constraints.
• Lead investigations of algorithm anomalies, numerical issues, performance limitations, and integration problems.
• Mentor less-experienced engineers and provide technical guidance on algorithm development, analysis, and verification.
• Lead or support full-system investigations using simulations, desktop analyses, recorded data, and vehicle or platform testing. Coordinate technical activities with algorithm, software, systems, hardware, and test engineering teams.

Model Based Workflows

• Work within and contribute to the Model-Based Design and Systems Engineering workflow, particularly using the MathWorks toolchain.
• Develop and maintain MATLAB and Simulink models, simulations, test cases, and analysis tools for algorithm development and verification.
• Support requirements tracing from system-level requirements through algorithm design, implementation, and verification.
• Assist Software-in-the-Loop, Processor-in-the-Loop, and Hardware-in-the-Loop testing activities.
• Support auto-code generation and deployment of algorithms to embedded platforms, including Xilinx Zynq MPSoC, ARM-based processors, and FPGA-based systems.
• Participate in model and algorithm design reviews, technical trade studies, and verification planning.
• Review algorithm models, generated code, test results, analysis scripts, and technical documentation.
• Contribute to improving modeling, coding, verification, configuration-management, and documentation practices.

Sensors

• Develop and analyze GPS/GNSS measurement-processing and signal-processing algorithms for navigation and localization applications.
• Develop and support algorithms using inertial sensors, including Ring Laser Gyros, Fiber Optic Gyros, and MEMS sensors.
• Contribute to inertial sensor calibration, compensation, alignment, error modeling, and performance characterization.
• Support the integration and analysis of computer vision and other aiding sensors for navigation and localization applications.
• Analyze sensor limitations, error sources, observability, and performance impacts at the subsystem and system levels.
• Develop familiarity with chip-scale atomic clocks and timing considerations as they apply to navigation systems.

Required Skills:

Relevant Tool Proficiencies

• Strong proficiency with the MathWorks toolchain, including MATLAB, Simulink, and navigation-related Toolboxes and Blocksets.
• Modeling and simulation of navigation, estimation, sensor-processing, and control algorithms.
• Monte Carlo simulations, covariance analyses, data analysis, and algorithm-performance characterization.
• Algorithm testing, verification, validation, and regression testing.
• Familiarity with auto-code generation and embedded algorithm implementation.
• Software, Processor, and Hardware-in-the-Loop development and verification.
• Proficiency in C/C++ and Python; familiarity with object-oriented programming methods.
• Familiarity with requirements-management tools, configuration management, and embedded software workflows.

Technical and Analytical Skills

• Strong understanding of engineering mathematics, linear algebra, probability, statistics, numerical methods, and estimation theory.
• Working knowledge of Kalman filtering, Bayesian estimation, nonlinear filtering, sensor fusion, inertial navigation, and GNSS.
• Ability to translate requirements into algorithm designs, interfaces, performance objectives, and verification methods.
• Ability to evaluate technical trade-offs and make sound engineering decisions with limited supervision.
• Ability to analyze real and simulated data, identify root causes, and communicate technical conclusions clearly.
• Ability to lead technical activities, participate in design reviews, and mentor less-experienced engineers.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with software, systems, hardware, test, and program teams.

Familiarity with Industry Trends

• Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE) open standard and pntOS.
• Advanced GNSS, inertial navigation, resilient and GPS-denied navigation, and sensor-fusion technologies.
• Production-level Kalman filters, navigation-grade IMU algorithms, computer vision, and other aiding-sensor technologies.
• Machine learning, artificial intelligence, factor-graph optimization, and other emerging estimation techniques.
• Embedded computing trends, real-time implementation, FPGA acceleration, and heterogeneous processing.
• Applicable aerospace, defense, safety, and systems-engineering processes.

Education/Experience/Other

• M.S. or greater in Engineering (Aerospace, Controls, or Estimation), Physics or Applied Mathematics; Ph.D. preferred
• Minimum 7+ years' experience
• Travel - Approximately 10% for customer reviews, technical meetings, integration activities, and vehicle or platform test support.
• Must be a US Citizen

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in New Jersey is $140,000 - $160,000 annually.  This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge and skills, experience, and internal consistency.

Additionally, we offer a medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with company match, tuition assistance, paid vacation and sick days, paid holidays, and a 9/80 work week with every other Friday off. Our work environment embraces our people as we enjoy monthly employee events that celebrates our workplace culture.

Equal Opportunity Employer/including Disabled/Veterans