2026 Communications and Signal Processing Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

401(k) plan

Health care and wellness plans

Paid holidays

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in Chantilly, VA seeks a Communications and Signal Processing Engineer for the Mission Payloads Division. You will analyze, model, and simulate radio and optical communication systems, and develop signal processing solutions on-site with customers.

Collaborate with civil, DoD, and intelligence customers, participate in reviews, and contribute to lab risk reduction and on-orbit testing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university.
• 0-1 year of industry experience.
• Coursework in digital communications and signal processing using MATLAB/Python.
• Solid understanding with radio satellite systems communications modeling and simulation.
• Working knowledge of digital filters, modulation schemes, coding, SATCOM link budget analysis, etc.
• Ability to support advanced development, integration and testing of radio communications and/or collection systems.
• Willing to travel domestically/internationally infrequently, as needed.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government.
• U.S citizenship is required to obtain security clearance.
• Transcripts required.

Responsibilities

• Performing analysis, modeling, and simulation of radio systems and related signal processing, including channel effects and related hardware distortion effects that impact wideband communications and collection receiver performance.
• Scope may include transmitter distortions, channel effects, receiver RF chain (antenna through analog to digital conversion), and application-specific DSP backend processing.
• Performing studies and analytical trades across a broad array of communications and signal processing applications.
• Supporting Civil, DoD and intelligence community customers with primary support to the National Reconnaissance Office
• Contributing within CSAD, where you'll develop your skills through a combination of independent technical assignments and collaborative team-based projects.
• Demonstrating leadership and initiative to inform stakeholders of technical issues and recommended courses of action, including technical studies, laboratory risk reduction efforts, an on-orbit testing.
• Acting as the organizations designated representative at customer program review meetings, technical meetings, presentations and symposia.

Skills

Digital communications

Signal processing

Modeling & simulation

MATLAB

Python

Radio satellite systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space. The Aerospace Corporation is hiring a Communications and Signal Processing Engineer for the Mission Payloads Division (MPD) in Chantilly, VA. At the Mission Payloads Division (MPD), we are pioneers in remote sensing systems that guide our country’s space enterprise. Our talented and dynamic people create and flourish in electronics, sensors, radar, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced data network domains. We boldly advance technology through our research and development and then forward to demonstration and integration. With innovative laboratories and prototyping, MPD delivers groundbreaking results. We guide our Department of Defense, intelligence community, and civil clients to enhance national productivity and security and tackle the most critical missions. Bring your intelligence and creative spirit and join us at MPD!

Job Summary

Selected candidate will join the Communications and Signal Analysis Department (CSAD) consisting of a team that is responsible for performing analysis, modeling and simulation of end-to-end radio and optical communication systems, and signal collection/processing techniques and solutions. Team advises Aerospace customers on technical matters and advanced technology development needs. The work supports advanced concept development/prototyping, system acquisition support and anomaly resolution, primarily for specialized satellite and associated ground processing applications. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time on-site at our facility in Chantilly, VA. This opportunity includes significant engagement with customers, requiring frequent visits to local customer facilities.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Performing analysis, modeling, and simulation of radio systems and related signal processing, including channel effects and related hardware distortion effects that impact wideband communications and collection receiver performance.
• Scope may include all or a portion of transmitter distortions, channel effects, receiver RF chain (antenna through analog to digital conversion), and application-specific DSP backend processing.
• Performing studies and analytical trades across a broad array of communications and signal processing applications.
• Supporting our Civil, DoD and intelligence community customers with primary support to the National Reconnaissance Office
• Contributing within CSAD, where you'll develop your skills through a combination of independent technical assignments and collaborative team-based projects.
• Demonstrating leadership and initiative to inform stakeholders of technical issues and recommended courses of action, including technical studies, laboratory risk reduction efforts, an on-orbit testing.
• Acting as the organizations designated representative at customer program review meetings, technical meetings, presentations and symposia.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related STEM discipline from an accredited university, pursuing or conferring within 12 months.
• 0-1 year of industry experience
• Coursework in the areas of digital communications and signal processing using MATLAB/Python
• Solid understanding with radio satellite systems communications modeling and simulation
• Working knowledge of digital filters, modulation schemes, coding, SATCOM link budget analysis, etc.
• Ability to support advanced development, integration and testing of radio communications and/or collection systems
• Willing to travel domestically/internationally infrequently, as needed
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government.
• U.S citizenship is required to obtain security clearance
• Transcripts required

What You Can Stand Out

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

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree from an accredited program in Electrical Engineering
• Understanding of one or more of the following: RF systems design and analysis
• Software-defined radio (SDR) platforms and implementations
• Hardware imperfections and distortion effects
• Active TS/SCI 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) $90,000.00 - $130,000.00 Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

• 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

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [e-mail] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.

Right Place The Aerospace Corporation has over 26 locations nationwide, which allows us to build a workforce that will nurture the best ideas, and generate the most novel innovations and solutions to our nation’s toughest space enterprise challenges.

Right Path Aerospace covers all stages of the space lifecycle, from concept to operations. We believe our people are our most valuable resource and that’s why we propel our employees forward in their careers through ongoing education, training, and professional development.

Right Purpose We can all serve a mission much greater than ourselves, and at Aerospace that is exactly what we do. By hiring the industry’s most preeminent scientists and engineers, Aerospace advances emerging technologies that protect some of the most critical missions on Earth and above it.

Return to the Aerospace Careers site.

Aerospace employees working in organizations with technical responsibilities are required to obtain a Security Clearance. U.S. citizenship is required for those positions.