The Aerospace Corporation

2027 Surveillance & Navigation Architecture Performance Technical Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation$100K — $140K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in aerospace engineering, physics, operations research, mathematics, or related field from an accredited program (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months).
  • 0 - 1 year of relevant industry experience (modeling and simulation, mission analysis, astrodynamics, or space operations).
  • Familiarity with programming languages such as Python, C/C++, and/or High-Performance Computing/Linux environments.
  • Experience with positioning, navigation, timing (PNT) technologies, resilience analysis, and space-related modeling.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

  • Support analysis in mission areas like geo-spatial intelligence, signals intelligence, and navigation systems.
  • Apply engineering techniques to support research, development, and acquisition decisions for PNT solutions.
  • Conduct architecture evaluations to model overall performance using analysis tools.
  • Collaborate with management and a team to conduct assessments and translate customer needs into project objectives.
  • Deliver clear presentations and reports communicating analysis results and solutions to stakeholders.
  • Contribute to the growth of analysis and simulation capabilities within the organization.
  • Lead small teams and mentor junior staff in analysis and development tasks.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
  • Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
  • Flexible work schedules including telework options.
  • Generous 401(k) plan with employer contributions and immediate vesting upon hire.
  • Professional growth and development programs.
  • Education assistance programs.
  • Inclusive work environment that promotes teamwork and respect.
Full Job Description

Job Summary:

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 diverse 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 Surveillance and Navigation Architecture Performance Department (SNAPD) in the Integrated Performance Subdivision aspires to be the premier force advising the evolution of national security and civil space enterprises, leveraging our modeling and simulation (M&S) expertise to evaluate end-to-end architecture performance.

Within SNAPD, the Navigation and Positioning Architectures Section (NPAS) develops and maintains technical capabilities in modeling, simulation, and analysis (MS&A) to perform requirements verification, analyses-of-alternatives (AoA), and performance evaluation for navigation and positioning systems. We are looking for curious and innovative teammates to help us address our customers’ hardest problems!

Work Model:

This full-time position requires a minimum of 4 days on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA. Alternative locations that may be considered include Chantilly, VA, or Colorado Springs, CO.

What You’ll Be Doing  

  • Support analysis in one or more of these specific mission areas: geo-spatial intelligence, signals intelligence, space surveillance, navigation systems, and/or space protection supporting defense or intelligence capabilities. 
  • Independently apply standard engineering techniques, procedures, and criteria to support recommendations for research, development, and acquisition decisions of legacy and emerging positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) solutions.
  • Perform architecture evaluation modeling overall performance using in-house or custom-developed analysis tools.
  • Work with senior staff, management, and a team to plan and conduct deep dives, trade studies, and assessments, translating customer needs into project objectives and providing quality deliverables to customer organizations.
  • Develop and present timely and technically accurate presentations and reports that clearly communicate analysis results and provide recommended solutions to technical leads, management, and customers.
  • Aid in sustainment, development, and growth of the organization’s analysis and simulation capabilities to support functional areas for our customer base.
  • As a Senior Member of Technical Staff, you will lead small teams of peers and mentor junior staff in conducting routine analysis and development tasks as part of larger project efforts. 

What You Need to be Successful 

Minimum Requirements for a Member of the Technical Staff (MTS):

  • Master’s degree in aerospace engineering, physics, operations research, mathematics, or a related field from an accredited program.  (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)
  • 0 - 1 year of industry experience in relevant topic areas post bachelor’s degree (e.g., modeling and simulation, mission analysis, astrodynamics, or space operations.) 
  • Familiarity with one or more software languages that may include Python, C/C++, and/or High-Performance Computing/Linux environments.  
  • Experience with one or more of the following subjects: geolocation, positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) technologies and architectures, PNT resilience and interference analysis, mathematical modeling, space-related modeling and simulation, mission data processing, signal processing, space threats, resilient systems, algorithm design, or software development
  • This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. 
  • Transcripts are required for this position.

How You Can Stand Out

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

  • PhD in aerospace engineering, mathematics, physics, operations research, or a related field from an accredited program. (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months) 
  • 0-1 year industry experience
  • Experience in relevant topic areas post bachelor’s degree (e.g., modeling and simulation, mission analysis, astrodynamics, or space operations.) 
  • Significant experience in one or more of the functional/mission areas listed above.
  • Proficiency with one or more software languages that may include Python, C, C++, MATLAB, Fortran, Java. 
  • Knowledge of Intelligence Community or US Department of Defense business practices, acquisition policies, or space mission portfolios
  • Demonstrated responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, to include the ability to:   
    • Self-manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and deliverables  
    • Maintain deliverable quality and manage customer expectations 
    • Take direction, work independently, and develop productive working relationships  
    • Interact and collaborate across a diverse team in different locations 
  • Current, active TS/SCI security clearance or SAP accesses.

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 - $140,000.00

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

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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