The Aerospace Corporation

Senior Communications Engineer, Modeling and Simulation

The Aerospace Corporation$129K — $249K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • B.S. degree in engineering (electrical, aerospace, physics, or computer science) with a communications focus.
  • 6+ years of relevant industry experience leading analysis teams.
  • Expertise in national security space or intelligence areas (communication systems, signals intelligence, spatial intelligence, etc.).
  • Strong oral and written communication skills for presenting complex information.
  • Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, or MATLAB.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

Responsibilities

  • Lead analysis teams that shape space communication system decisions.
  • Provide technical authority in communication architecture and network performance.
  • Conduct end-to-end performance evaluations and analysis of alternatives.
  • Mentor and train staff across a national organization.
  • Coordinate complex technical tasks balancing resources and priorities.
  • Communicate complex analysis through briefings and formal reports.
  • Incorporate modeling and simulation capabilities into communication analyses.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
  • Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
  • Flexible work schedules, including telework options.
  • Generous 401(k) Plan with company contributions.
  • Flexible spending accounts for healthcare costs.
  • Incentive pay for exceptional performance.
  • Relocation assistance provided for new hires.
  • Programs for professional growth and education assistance.
  • Inclusive work environment focused on teamwork and respect.
Full Job Description

The Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The divisionleveragesa 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 Communication and Ground Architectures Performance Department (CGAPD) within the Integrated Performance Subdivision (IPS)deliversmodeling, simulation, and analysis (MS&A) solutions that help shape how the nation’s most critical space communication and ground systems are designed,acquired, and evolved. Ourmodeling and performanceassessmentsaroundcommunication architectures, networks, and mission management strategies directly inform and influence decisions for multiple customers including USAF/USSF, the Intelligence Community, and other government customers.

Work Model:  

This full-time position requires at least 4 days/week of onsite work in Chantilly, VA, Colorado Springs, COS, or El Segundo, CA. 

 

What You’ll Be Doing  

  • Lead analysis teams whose recommendations directly shape acquisition and development decisions for the nation’s space-based and terrestrial communication systems 

  • Serve as a go-to technical authority in one or more of the areas of:

    • Communication and ground architecture performance (e.g. coverage and capacity assessments, architecture trade studies, end-to-end architecture evaluations) 
    • Network modeling (e.g. topology design and optimization, throughput/latency analysis, network resilience) 
    • Scheduling and mission management (e.g. satellite collection/contact scheduling, resource allocation, CONOPS development) 
  • Perform end-to-end (E2E) performance evaluations and analysis-of-alternatives (AoA) using internally developed analysis capabilities 

  • Drive the development of staff through training, mentoring, and coaching across a national organization 

  • Own the coordinationof complex technical tasks across multiple customers, balancing resources and priorities to deliver time-sensitive analysis

  • Translate complex analysis into clear, compelling briefings for technical leads, senior leadership, and government customers

  • Driveinnovation incorporateM&Scapabilities supporting the analysis of communication and ground systems

What You Need to be Successful  

 

Minimum Requirements:  

 

Engineering Specialist 

  • B.S degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, computer science, or other engineering with a strong communications background 

  • Typically, 6 or more years of industry experience, with demonstrated experience leading engineering studies or analysis teams  

  • Professional experience in one or more of the following specific national security space or intelligence mission areas: communication and ground infrastructures, signals intelligence, geo-spatial intelligence, space surveillance, navigation systems or space protection 

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present methods and results effectively in briefings, formal reports, and informal communications 

  • Experience with one or more software languages that may include Python, C++, or MATLAB 

  • 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. 

 

 

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for Senior Engineering Specialist include: 

  • Typically, 10 or more years of industry experience, with demonstrated experience leading engineering studies and analysis teams, managing/coordinating complex technical tasks, and translating customer needs into tasks for team members 

  • Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment, adapt quickly to change, and to help customers manage ambiguity 

  • Significant professional experience in one or more of the following specific national security space or intelligence mission areas: communication and ground infrastructures, signals intelligence, geo-spatial intelligence, space surveillance, navigationsystemsor space protection

  • Excellent interpersonal skills andprovenability to work effectively with customers, Aerospace program offices, and contractors

How You Can Stand Out  

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

  • Graduate degree in one of the fields of study mentioned above 

  • Current TS/SCI security clearance with polygraph 

  • Proficiency with one or more software languages that may include Python, C++, or MATLAB 

  • Significant experience in Intelligence Community or US Department of Defense business practices, acquisition policies, or space mission portfolios 

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)

$129,000.00 - $249,600.00

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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