The Aerospace Corporation

Space Domain Awareness Modeling & Analysis Engineer

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

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Remote Sensing, Imaging Science, Physics, or a related field
  • Eight years of experience in remote sensing system modeling and simulation
  • Strong scientific programming skills in C++ and Python
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively
  • Excellent problem-solving skills
  • Strong written and oral communication skills
  • Willingness to travel approximately 10% of the time
  • U.S. citizenship necessary to obtain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance

Responsibilities

  • Develop and refine models for space domain awareness systems
  • Create physics-based code to assess system performance
  • Define system performance requirements and advise customers
  • Design experiments to validate SDA system performance
  • Evaluate sensor configuration impacts in hardware and operations
  • Lead small teams in system modeling and collaboration
  • Present findings to stakeholders for verification of requirements

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
  • Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
  • Flexible work schedules including telework options
  • 401(k) plan with company-paid benefits and matching contributions
  • Professional growth and development programs
  • Relocation assistance available
  • Education assistance programs
  • Inclusive work environment emphasizing teamwork and respect
Full Job Description

The selected candidate will be required to work full time on-site at our facility at Chantilly, VA

What You’ll Be Doing

  • Develop and refine models and simulations of space domain awareness (SDA) systems in optical and infrared wave bands

  • Forge physics-based code to model and assess system performance against multiple requirements

  • Construct techniques for defining system performance requirements and advise government customers on best practices and trade considerations

  • Develop methodology and design associated experiments or collection campaigns to validate SDA system performance

  • Evaluate the performance impact of different sensor configuration and/or implementation strategies in both hardware and operational aspects

  • Collaborate with and/or lead small teams of engineers and scientists in developing end-to-end system and performance modeling tools across multiple software interfaces

  • Present your work to government and other stakeholders to aid definition and verification of system requirements and performance

What You Need to be Successful – Engineering Specialist

Minimum Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in in Remote Sensing, Imaging Science, Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, Atmospheric Science, Computer Science, Optical or Electrical Engineering, or another related discipline

  • Eight years of experience after bachelor’s degree with remote sensing system modeling, simulation, design, data processing, calibration, characterization, phenomenology, and/or applications

  • High aptitude for leadership and ability to work independently or collaboratively

  • Strong scientific programming skills (particularly in C++ and Python) and familiarity with software version control systems (git)

  • Analytical and creative problem-solving skills

  • Strong written and oral communication skills

  • Willingness to travel approximately 10% of time

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

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for Sr. Engineering Specialist:

  • Twelve years of experience after bachelor’s degree with remote sensing system modeling, simulation, design, data processing, calibration, characterization, phenomenology, and/or applications

  • Demonstrated experience modeling SDA sensors

How You Can Stand Out

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

  • Advanced degree from an accredited program in in Remote Sensing, Imaging Science, Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, Atmospheric Science, Computer Science, Optical or Electrical Engineering, or another related discipline

  • Demonstrated experience with modeling and simulation of sensor performance in SDA (optical and infrared) systems

  • Proficiency with image reduction pipelines (i.e., removal of bias, gain correction etc.)

  • Familiarity with agile software development and Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence).

  • Working knowledge of FORTRAN

  • Background in evaluating sensor hardware performance

  • Proven track record in leadership and ability to mentor junior staff

  • Current and active Top Secret/SCI security clearance

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

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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