2026 Space Systems Modeling & Simulation Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health care

Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

401(k) Plan and company matching

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

Professional growth programs

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, CA is seeking Space Systems Modeling and Simulation Engineers for the CNAS within MPD. You will analyze, model, and simulate communication systems and networks to support DoD, IC, and commercial missions.

Selected candidates will work onsite at our El Segundo facility and tackle challenging space problems with leading technologies. Ideal candidates have a STEM degree, 0-1 year experience, and proficiency in MATLAB, Python, or C/C++.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Math, or STEM from an accredited university, expected within 12 months.
• 0-1 year of industry work experience.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Python and/or C/C++.
• General knowledge of communication systems and/or systems modeling and simulation (hardware, software).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance; U.S. citizenship required.
• Transcripts required.
• Willing to travel occasionally to a customer site approximately 0-10%.

Responsibilities

• Support DoD, IC, and commercial space missions; collaborate with military officers and contractors.
• Conduct technical studies and analyses to develop implementable technical solutions.
• Participate in research to develop the next generation of concepts, signals, architectures, and technologies related to space communications.
• Communicate technical results and their customer impact in presentations and in written reports.

Skills

Strong written and oral communication

Team player

Organizational skills

Adaptability

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Math, or STEM

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

Job description

Introduction

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 Space Systems Modeling and Simulation Engineers for the Communication and Network Architectures Subdivision (CNAS) within the Mission Payloads Division (MPD). 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 (DoD), intelligence community (IC), and commercial 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

CNAS performs analysis, modeling and simulation, and laboratory activities to design and evaluate communication systems, digital signal processing algorithms and space and ground networks to transport those signals to meet the needs of our customers. As an engineer within CNAS, you will join an amazing team in solving challenging technical problems to ensure the success of our US Government military and national program customer needs and shape the future of space! We are seeking engineers with strong motivation to embrace continuous learning regarding our satellite systems, technical solutions, and customer needs, while leveraging your existing technical strengths and interests. We want you to learn from your fellow engineers while also sharing your growing knowledge and expertise with others over time. Selected candidates will work onsite at our facility in El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

Support space missions spanning DoD, IC, and commercial customers. You will often be working closely with military officers and government civilians, prime contractors, and Aerospace engineers from other technical disciplines. Participate in technical studies and analysis to develop implementable technical solutions to the Nation’s hardest space communications problems. Participate in research projects to develop the next generation of concepts, signals, architectures, and technologies related to space communications. Communicatetechnical resultsand their customer impact, clearly in presentations and in written reports. Continually learn about our space systems and help push technological boundaries with your innovative ideas.

What Corporate Skills You’ll Bring

• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Must work well in a team environment
• Possess organizational and time management skills
• Demonstrate flexibility and ability to adapt to changing customer needs
• Interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with other internal and external organizations

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Math, or STEM related discipline from an accredited university, pursuing or conferring within 12 months.
• 0-1 year of industry work experience
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Python and/or C/C++.
• General knowledge, coursework and/or prior internship or project experience related to communication systems and/or systems modeling and simulation (hardware, software)
• Ability to provide technical solutions in response to customer needs.
• Willing to travel occasionally to a customer site approximately 0-10%.
• 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 required

How You Can Stand Out

• Masters, and/or Ph.D. degree from an accredited program in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Math, or related discipline.
• Understanding of satellite systems, satellite communications or space networks.
• Familiarity with network testbed development and/or experience with network emulation/simulation
• Understanding of any of these communication systems and digital signal processing concepts (e.g., modulation, coding, synchronization, waveform design, channel effects, spectrum, and link performance).
• Active U.S. Government issued DOD Secret Clearance or higher.

We offer a competitive compensation package

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 - $140,000.00 Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

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

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.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

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