The Aerospace Corporation

2026 Space Optimization Analyst

The Aerospace Corporation$100K — $110K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • MS degree in aerospace, astronautical, or mechanical engineering, physics, operations research, mathematics, or a related field
  • 0-1 year of industry work experience
  • Experience with constellation design or orbital mechanics
  • Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C, C++, or MATLAB
  • Ability to act as a technical contributor across individual and team efforts
  • Must obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance with CI polygraph.
  • Transcripts required with application.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct deep dives, trade studies, and assessments to meet customer needs in space architecture design and optimization.
  • Utilize engineering analysis tools to deliver insights through technical assessments.
  • Develop analysis software tools and improve existing simulation and analysis capabilities.
  • Prepare and present technically accurate reports and analyses to stakeholders.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and collaborators across organizations.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
  • Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
  • Flexible work schedules and telework options
  • Generous 401(k) Plan with immediate vesting and company contributions
  • Education assistance programs
  • Professional growth and development opportunities
  • Relocation assistance
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a wide-ranging and dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities. 

The Space Enterprise Design and Optimization Department (SEDOD) is in EED’s Enterprise Design Subdivision (EDS). We bring to bear expertise in a wide variety of fields to tackle tough problems and explore novel ideas, focusing on the performance modeling, analysis, and optimization of orbits, mission architectures, and acquisition portfolios to inform the future of the national space enterprise.   

  

As part of SEDOD and EDS, a member of our technical staff will employ and develop sophisticated simulation tools to perform space and ground design, optimization, and analysis in support of architecture concept trade studies, requirements verification, analyses-of-alternatives, and performance modeling. Additionally, this staff member will leverage optimization techniques to enable our customers to make data-driven decisions regarding portfolio composition, budget planning, and commercial purchasing. They will act as a technical expert for a portfolio of high-impact projects, in addition to working on teams and collaborating with other analysts to expand their domain knowledge.   

  

Work Model 

This is a full-time position based in Chantilly, VA; El Segundo, CA; or Colorado Springs, CO, offering an in-person work model that combines 4 or more regular onsite workdays per week and remote flexibility as the business needs allow.    

  

What You’ll Be Doing 

  • Independently and collaboratively conducting deep dives, trade studies, and assessments to define and address customer needs in the areas of space architecture design and optimization, trade space exploration, and portfolio analysis 

  • Leveraging in-house and commercial- and government-off-the-shelf engineering analysis tools to deliver technical insights through analytical deep dives, trade studies, and assessments in department focus areas  

  • Contributing to the development of analysis software tools and actively pursuing opportunities to enhance and improve existing simulation and analysis capabilities for a wide range of customers 

  • Developing and presenting timely and technically accurate presentations and reports that clearly communicate analysis results and provide recommended solutions to technical leads, management, and customers 

  • Building and maintaining a strong base of customers and collaborators for the department through effective working relationships with cross-organization partners, government customers, and contractor teammates 

  

What You Need to be Successful 

Minimum Requirements: 

  • MS degree in aerospace, astronautical, or mechanical engineering, physics, operations research, mathematics, or a related field of science or engineering  (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months) 

  • 0-1 year of industry work experience 

  • Experience with constellation design, orbital mechanics, or mathematics related to satellite access geometry  

  • Knowledge of Python, C, C++, MATLAB, or another programming language 

  • Ability to support multiple programs and/or activities, acting as a technical contributor across both individual and broader team efforts 

  • This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance with CI polygraph, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. 

  • Transcripts required with this position

  

How You Can Stand Out  

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: 

  • Familiarity with one of these specific national security space or intelligence mission areas: geo-spatial intelligence, signals intelligence, space surveillance, space protection, ground systems, or communications infrastructure 

  • Background in one or more of the following areas: optimization techniques, genetic algorithms, space mission design, satellite constellation performance modeling, satellite orbit access analysis, simulation development, or payload/bus design 

  • Experience working independently on creating, executing, and debugging modeling and simulation tools 

  • Current TS/SCI access with a current CI polygraph 

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.  The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below.  Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

$100,000.00 - $110,000.00

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

  • Operate Strategically
  • Lead Change   
  • Engage with Impact   
  • Foster Innovation   
  • Deliver Results  

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.  A few highlights include:

  • Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

  • Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

  • Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

  • 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire

  • Flexible spending accounts

  • Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

  • Relocation assistance

  • Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

  • Education assistance programs

  • An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

About The Aerospace Corporation

The Aerospace Corporation is a nonprofit corporation that operates a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) headquartered in El Segundo, California. The corporation provides technical guidance and advice on all aspects of space missions to military, civil, and commercial customers. Aerospace also designs and develops spacecraft, sensors, and other systems in support of national security, civil, and commercial customers. The corporation has more than 4,000 employees and operates a number of laboratories and test facilities across the United States.
Learn more about The Aerospace Corporation
Size
4,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1960

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