2027 Rendezvous & Proximity Operations Computer Vision and Relative Navigation Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; Colorado Springs (CO); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care and wellness plans

Relocation assistance

Education assistance programs

Telework options

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation seeks a Computer Vision and Relative Navigation Engineer to join the RAID team in El Segundo, CA, Chantilly, VA, or Colorado Springs, CO. The role focuses on state/pose estimation, image processing, and automation to support analysis and development for defense and civil customers.

Responsibilities include developing CV and relative navigation algorithms, evaluating mission applications, and collaborating across disciplines.

Qualifications

• MS degree in engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or related field (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)
• 0-1 years of professional, technical work experience
• Experience in computer vision and/or relative navigation
• Proficiency in C, C++, Python, Fortran, MATLAB
• Willing to travel domestically (≈10%)
• U.S. citizenship; ability to obtain security clearance; transcripts required

Responsibilities

• Develop and integrate computer vision and relative navigation algorithms for RPO mission-level modeling
• Support evaluation of contested space mission applications to assess system vulnerabilities and CONOPS
• Incorporate complex operational constraints into flight dynamics tool design for space systems
• Build new flight dynamics tools to support customer deliverables
• Apply AI/ML/RL techniques to evaluation and decision-making trade spaces
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to translate mission requirements into technical solutions
• Occasional travel to support customer efforts

Skills

Computer vision

Relative navigation

Communication

State estimation

Education

MS in engineering / mathematics / physics / CS (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)

Tools

C

C++

Python

Fortran

MATLAB

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 Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a 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 RPO Analysis and Integration Department (RAID) is one of EED’s premier orbital engagement and rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) modeling and analysis groups. We deliver impactful mission-level modeling, simulation and integration support to a variety of military and civil customers to enable the key missions that will service and protect critical space infrastructure.

We are looking for a Computer Vision and Relative Navigation Engineer to join the RAID team. The selected candidate will provide expertise for a wide range of customer flight-mechanics needs, but will specialize in state/pose estimation, image processing, and automation to support analysis, research, and development requests. The work will require candidates to provide deep technical solutions while also collaborating with engineering partners to facilitate integrated solutions for our customers’ hardest problems. Customers will include defense, intelligence, civil, and commercial organizations.

Work Model

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA, Chantilly, VA, or Colorado Springs, CO, offering an in-person work model that combines 4 or more regular onsite workdays per week and remote flexibility as business needs allow.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Develop and integrate computer vision and relative navigation algorithms for RPO mission-level modeling.
• Support evaluation of contested space mission applications to assess system vulnerabilities and contribute to the development of Concepts of Operations (CONOPS).
• Explore Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) and incorporate complex operational constraints into the design and maturation of space systems that support RPO objectives.
• Build new flight dynamics tools to cultivate and maintain a healthy and modern internal tool base that supports customer deliverables.
• Combine AI/ML/RL techniques with flight mechanics modeling to assess complex analysis and decision-making trade spaces.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to translate customer mission requirements into technical solutions and analysis products.
• Occasional travel to support customer efforts.

What You Need to be Successful

• MS degree from an accredited college/university programin engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or related field (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)
• 0-1 years of professional, technical work experience
• Experience in computer vision and/or relative navigation
• Experience in one or more of the following subjects: space mission analysis and design, state estimation, pose estimation, orbit determination, image processing, algorithm design, software development, astrodynamics, trajectory simulation and performance optimization of spacecraft conducting RPO, mathematical modeling
• Proficiency with one or more of the following programming languages/tools: C, C++, Python, Fortran, MATLAB
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Willing to travel domestically to customer and contractor facilities (approx. 10%)
• This position requires 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 for this position

What You Can Stand Out

• PhD degree from an accredited college/university programin engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or related field (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)
• Demonstrated technical excellence in the relevant job capabilities and functions
• The ability to operate independently, often in the presence of ambiguity, and still deliver high quality, relevant end products to a range of customers
• Graduate level course work, research, and/or experience in the following areas: space mission analysis and design, state estimation, pose estimation, relative navigation, orbit determination, computer vision, image processing, astrodynamics, trajectory simulation and performance optimization of spacecraft conducting RPO
• Experience using or building analysis software to combine numerical methods, orbital or flight mechanics, and optimization approaches for spacecraft or related vehicles
• Advanced algorithm development skills to include parallel processing and scripting experience
• Experience with contested space trajectory applications, military exercises, and wargaming events
• Current SSBI with an active TS/SCI and/or TS/SAP 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) $100,000.00 - $140,000.00 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

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.

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.

U.S. citizenship is required for those positions.