D489 Control Software Test Bed Engineer

Overview

Department 489 is part of the Integrated Power Systems (IPS) Directorate which is responsible for developing the COLUMBIA Class (CLB) state-of-the-art electric drive propulsion system.  D489 is responsible for the development and construction support of the electric drive system (drives, controls, and power distribution).  

 

General Description:

In support of electric drive design efforts, D489 is developing a Control Software Test Bed (CSTB) that contains a propulsion system emulator integrated with actual shipboard control hardware/software.  The CSTB will be used to support propulsion component software certification and assist in the early discovery/ resolution of propulsion system controls issues.  The CSTB emulator hardware runs in real-time to mimic propulsion system performance.   The CSTB real-time control logic will use MATLAB/Simulink models to support rapid-prototyping of the propulsion system dynamics. 

 

This work includes:

• Integration of shipboard control hardware with propulsion & electric plant system real-time hardware
• Development and modification of propulsion system models running in real-time,
• Establish component interfaces, analog/digital conversion, relay logic, and control power design
• Support hardware selection and procurement efforts
• Develop CSTB design documentation, requirements, and test procedures

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering
• 0-3 years relevant experience

 

Preferred

• Electric or mechanical experience or related education desired in the design, analysis, or test of power electronic systems
• Experience with digital signal processing and non-linear, dynamic analysis 
• Classes in electromechanical energy conversion, electric drives, digital controls, power electronics, and electric machines 
• Familiarity with MATLAB/Simulink
• Experience with similar modeling tools simulating electrical component and system performance

Skills

  Strong communication skills and motivation in a technology design environment are required.