2027 Rendezvous & Proximity Operations Computer Vision and Relative Navigation Engineer

aero; United States; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation's space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. The RPO Analysis and Integration Department (RAID) seeks a Computer Vision and Relative Navigation Engineer to advance state/pose estimation and image processing for mission-level modeling within a collaborative team.

This full-time hybrid role is based in El Segundo, CA, Chantilly, VA, or Colorado Springs, CO, combining onsite work with

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 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

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 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.

Skills

Computer vision

Relative navigation

Python

C++

MATLAB

Mathematics

Effective communication

Security clearance eligibility

Education

MS degree in engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or related field

Tools

MATLAB

Fortran

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 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

Minimum Requirements

• MS degree from an accredited college/university program in engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or related field (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)
• 0-1 years o f 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

How You Can Stand Out

• PhD degree from an accredited college/university program in 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