2027 Space Debris and Satellite Disposal Analyst

The Aerospace Corporation; Chantilly (VA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care plans

Paid time off

Telework options

401(k) Plan with company match

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a highly qualified candidate for the Space Debris and Satellite Disposal role in Chantilly, VA, with onsite work five days per week and occasional travel. Proven ability to perform analyses, build software tools, and communicate results is essential.

The role supports the Space Debris and Satellite Disposal Team, requiring a Master’s or PhD in a technical field and up to 1 year postgrad experience. Eligibility for security clearance and U.S.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Aerospace engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or related technical discipline (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months).
• 0–1 years of professional postgraduate experience.
• Aptitude with astrodynamics and related mathematics; skills in mathematical formulation and derivation; experience with computer software tools.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to projects involving analyses and software development for space debris environment projection, on-orbit breakup forensics, disposal, deorbit and re-entry analysis, and debris mitigation.
• Support real-time on-orbit breakup event evaluation and deorbit/reentry monitoring and reporting.
• Conduct technical deep dives and trade studies with multidisciplinary teams to define customer needs and provide solutions.
• Develop and present briefings and reports communicating results to technical leads, management, and customers.
• Travel occasionally to support customer efforts.

Skills

Astrodynamics

Mathematical formulation

Software tools

Independent work

Education

Master's or PhD in Aerospace engineering, Mathematics, Physics or related

Tools

Python

C++

Fortran

High Performance Computing

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.

Job Summary

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 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.

Work Model

This position will require onsite support for a minimum of 4 days in either Chantilly, VA, Colorado Springs, CO, or El Segundo, CA, with partial remote work options.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a member of the Space Debris and Satellite Disposal Team, you will be providing technical capabilities to support our customers and address the challenges of space debris risk and post‑mission satellite disposal in an increasingly congested and contested space environment.

In this role, you will:

• Contribute to a variety of projects involving technical analyses and software development relating to multiple focus areas of the section, including space object and debris environment projection, on‑orbit breakup forensics, passive and controlled disposal, de‑orbit, and re‑entry analysis, debris mitigation and remediation analysis, space situational awareness, and space traffic management.
• Support real‑time on‑orbit breakup event evaluation and deorbit/reentry monitoring and reporting.
• Conduct technical deep dives, trade studies, and assessments both independently and in teams with multi‑disciplinary technical leaders, Aerospace Program Office personnel, and external customers to define and address customer needs.
• Develop and present timely and technically accurate briefings and reports that clearly communicate analysis results and provide recommended solutions to technical leads, management, and customers.
• Travel occasionally (as necessary) to support customer efforts.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Master's or PhD degree from an accredited college/university program in Aerospace engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or related technical discipline (Pursuing or conferred within the last 12 months).
• 0 to 1 years of professional postgraduate experience.
• Organizational skills, to include: Self‑management of multiple tasks, deadlines, and deliverables; Ability to take direction, work independently, and develop productive working relationships; Aptitude with astrodynamics and related mathematics; Skills in mathematical formulation and derivation; Demonstrated skills in the development and use of computer software tools.
• 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.
• Transcripts are required.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Experience with Python, C++, Fortran, and/or High Performance Computing environments
• Direct experience in primary department areas of support
• Technical skills in other related areas such as orbit determination, cataloging, database management, RFI/EMI, spacecraft operations, discrete‑event modeling, radar/electro‑optics, and AI/ML data analytics.
• Meaningful and consistent contribution to a substantial technical analytical or development project through its successful fruition.
• Expertise in team coordination and/or mentorship.
• Current and active Top‑Secret Clearance (TS) with SCI access.

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

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

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.

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.