2027 GNC Spacecraft/Payload Control Systems Analyst

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health care and wellness

Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

401(k) Plan — Employees receive a 8%,

Relocation assistance

Education assistance programs

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Member of Technical Staff in the ControlAnalysis Department to design, simulate, and evaluate spacecraft control systems across DoD, civil, and commercial programs. You will communicate results to government customers and stakeholders while developing new analysis tools and techniques.

The role requires a Master’s in a related field (or within 12 months of completion), 0–1 year of experience, and proficiency in Python and MATLAB/Simulink; knowledge of C/C++

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months).
• 0-1 year of industry work experience.
• Graduate level coursework and/or hands-on experience in control system design and analysis, estimation theory, or dynamics.
• Experience with developing control and dynamics simulations.
• Proficiency with Python and/or MATLAB/Simulink.
• Working knowledge with C/C++.

Responsibilities

• Participate in design, simulation, analysis, and evaluation of spacecraft and payload control systems on National Security Space, civil, and commercial programs.
• Support concept development, trade studies, source selections, requirements analyses, risk assessments, design analyses, simulation development, prototyping, test planning and execution, operations support, and anomaly resolution.
• Communicate technical results orally and in writing with government customers, program management, and contractors.
• Research, develop, and document new analysis tools and techniques.
• Engage with subject matter experts in continuous learning to drive state-of-the-art technical analysis.
• Duties may change or new ones assigned as needed; training and mentorship provided.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Organization & PM

Flexibility

Interpersonal skills

Education

Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering/Computer Science

Pursuing or conferred within last 12 months

Tools

Python

MATLAB/Simulink

C/C++

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 Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly-trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments. Within this division, the ControlAnalysis Department (CAD)focuses on providingsatellite attitude and payload pointing estimation and control system analysisfor a wide variety ofspaceprograms/systems ranging from DoD and NRO to commercial. Applications may include small pathfinding CubeSats with prototype payloads (weighing a few kilograms total), all the way up to the more exquisite GPS constellation upon which countless users rely every day. In response to the rapidly evolving space environment of today, CAD leveragesstate-of-the-arttools, techniques, and knowledge to outpace the threat of tomorrow. As part of the Aerospace Corporation FFRDC, however, CAD is also better able to ensure such agile approaches are well-anchored in heritage proficiencies of space vehicle attitudecontrol,dynamics,and estimation and payload pointing. From this fundamental foundation,this department engages in cutting-edge research and applies modern methods to emerging andrelatedtopicssuch as artificial intelligence, computer vision,androboticsto solvenew and increasingly challenging problems.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Participate in design, simulation, analysis, and evaluation of spacecraft and payload control systems on a variety of National Security Space programs, civil programs, and commercial programs
• Perform tasks in support of concept development, trade studies, source selections, requirements analyses, risk assessments, design analyses, simulation development, prototyping, test planning and execution, operations support, and anomaly resolution
• Communicate technical results both orally and in writing, interacting directly with government customers, program management, and contractors
• Research, develop, and document new analysis tools and techniques
• Engage with subject matter experts in continuous learning to drive the state-of-the-art technical analysis
• Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed
• Training and mentorship will be provided

What Corporate Skills You’ll Bring

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

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for a Member of Technical Staff: Master’s degreefrom an accredited college/university programin Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months) 0-1 year of industry work experience Graduate level coursework and/or in-depth, hands‑on experience in one or more of the following: control system design and analysis, estimation theory, or dynamics Experience with developing control and dynamics simulations Proficiency with Python and/or MATLAB/Simulink Working knowledge with C/C++ 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.

• control system design and analysis, estimation theory, or dynamics
• Experience with developing control and dynamics simulations
• Proficiency with Python and/or MATLAB/Simulink
• Working knowledge with C/C++

How You Can Stand Out

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

• PhDdegreefrom an accredited college/university programin Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)
• Proficiency with software development: version control (Git), containerization (Docker), cross‑platform compatibility (Linux, Windows, Mac), ROS / Gazebo, and distributed computing
• Experience with special topics including, but not limited to: Rendezvous, proximity, operations, and docking (RPOD) scenarios
• Computer vision algorithms, image processing, point‑cloud analysis Mobile robotics, guidance algorithms, trajectory optimization
• Simultaneous localization & mapping (SLAM), unscented Kalman filters (UKFs), particle filters, factor graphs
• Datascience,artificial intelligence,machinelearning, reinforcement learning
• Proficiency with one or more of the following: Payload pointing estimation and control Spacecraft attitude determination and control Kalman filtering and stochastic processes Advanced control techniques and applications Modeling and simulation of control systems Multibody and flexible body dynamics Implementation, testing, deploying, and calibration of control systems Active DoD Top Secret/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) $86,600.00 - $150,400.00 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

• 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.

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

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

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.