(Sr) Research Associate, Mission Engineering

Job Description

The Ted and Karyn Hume Center for National Security and Technology at Virginia Tech is a university-level research center that reports to the Vice President of Research and Innovation. Its mission is to cultivate the next generation of national security leaders by developing and executing curricular, extracurricular, and research opportunities to engage students. Sponsors and collaborators benefit from both highly experienced student talent and senior technical leadership that address some of our nation’s greatest security challenges. The Hume team executes research on behalf of a range of national security research sponsors, including Government agencies, and industry.

This is a research and development position that may be based in Blacksburg or Arlington, Virginia and is part of the Hume Center’s Intelligent Systems Lab (ISL). ISL brings together researchers from computer science, statistics, machine learning, systems engineering and other fields to develop interdisciplinary solutions to cutting-edge technological challenges. Successful candidates for this position will have relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: systems engineering, mission engineering, or DoD acquisition to include research, development, test and evaluation.

The mission engineering position may be offered at the research faculty rank of either research associate or senior research associate depending on the education and skill level of the successful candidate.

Specific responsibilities include the following:
(1) Support research conducted in ISL in projects focused on mission engineering, model based systems engineering (MBSE), digital engineering, and data science
(2) Contribute to technical documents/presentations and peer-reviewed academic papers
(3) Provide mentorship to students working on programs

Required Qualifications

• US citizenship
• For Research Associate: An earned Master's degree in Systems Engineering, or related discipline; or an earned Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, or related discipline and significant related experience
• For Senior Research Associate: An earned doctorate degree in systems engineering, or related discipline and progressively related experience. In lieu of the doctorate degree, a master's degree in the related field with substantially significant professional experience may be considered.
• Proficiency in systems engineering tools.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team in executing research and/or development projects
• Evidence of high potential for excellence in research and development as demonstrated through academic study or experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Active security clearance
• Interest and/or experience in working effectively with a diverse faculty, staff and student population
• Experience working in an academic environment
• Experience executing on research and/or development programs supporting the federal government

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience

Review Date

2/8/2021 and open until filled

Additional Information

This recruitment has multiple openings located in either Blacksburg, VA or Arlington, VA.

The successful Candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Sue Kass at sjkass@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Advertised: January 20, 2021
Applications close: