Plasma Physicist Senior Researcher

Senior Researcher

NASA Glenn Research Center

Brook Park, Ohio

HX5 is an award-winning provider of engineering, research and development, and technical services to clients such as NASA and the Department of Defense. Founded in 2004, HX5 is a fast-growing veteran and woman-owned company with locations nationwide.

HX5 is currently seeking a Plasma Physicist Senior Researcher to join our team in Brook Park, Ohio in support of the GEARS contract at NASA Glenn Research Center.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The selected candidate will develop an electro aerodynamic (EAD) plasma thruster using high-voltage corna discharge to generate ionic wind propulsion without moving parts, inspired by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) solid-state airplane and Plasma Channels’s iterative thruster designs. 

• Developing a requirements specification document that includes: performance targets and metrics, design constraints, and safety protocols.
• Performing a literature review, defining a technical approach and developing a test plan with measurement methods.
• Developing and demonstrating a prototype plasma thruster.
• Demonstrating performance relative to requirements.

This effort is monitored by the Intelligent Control and Autonomy Branch at NASA GRC, which conducts research and development of technologies to increase the level of intelligence and autonomy in complex aerospace space systems with a strong focus on aero-space propulsion systems.

Required Skills:

• Experience with designing plasma and discharge devices.
• Experience with chemical phenomena and thermodynamics for plasmas/discharges.
• Experience with safe handling and wiring of high-voltage electrical systems.
• Experience with Design of Experiments and statistical tools.
• Experience with executing design-build-test, iterative, development of cycles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly motivated and able to work independently.
• Committed to successful collaboration with the NASA team and partners.

Other Desired Skills: 

• Photography and videography for documentation 
• Experience working with NASA

 Education and Experience:

Must have one of the following combinations of education and experience:

• Bachelor's Degree with twenty-five (25) years, or more, of experience
• Master's Degree with twenty (20) years, or more, of experience
• Must have an engineering degree from an ABET accredited program

Other Position Requirements:

• Must be a US Citizen and successfully complete a U.S. government background investigation.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of security clearance for the position.

HX5 offers a competitive salary and benefits package to include:

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• 401(k) plan with Company Match
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off
• Parental Leave
• Life Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Pet Insurance

HX5, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

HX5, LLC is a Drug Free Workplace Employer.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please call (850) 362-6551.