2027 Time and Frequency Systems Scientist

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

Time off

401(k) retirement plan

FSAs

Relocation assistance

Professional development

Education assistance

Telework options

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, CA seeks a candidate for a timekeeping and precision clock research role. You will contribute to atomic clock ensemble testbeds, simulations, time transfer studies, and ML applications in clock operations.

Minimum qualifications include a Master’s in a related field or pursuing PhD, 0–1 year lab experience, and the ability to obtain a security clearance. This on-site role offers comprehensive benefits and relocation support.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Physics, Chemistry, Math, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or related discipline (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months).
• 0–1 year of industry work experience in a research laboratory environment.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US security clearance; US citizenship required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; strong documentation and reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute experiments and data analysis in precise timekeeping and atomic clocks.
• Follow established best practices and procedures; help develop additional processes for safety and productivity.
• Collaborate with department and organization staff on projects.
• Work with management to create and execute project budgets and schedules.
• Mentor staff and assist with briefing materials, proposals, and experiments.

Skills

Strong written & oral communication

Teamwork

Time management

Project management

Adaptability

Interpersonal skills

Education

Master’s degree in Physics, Chemistry, Math, CS or Electrical Engineering

PhD in related discipline (stand-out)

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.

Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL) supports the effective and timely development and operation of national security systems through scientific research and the application of advanced technologies. PSL has more than 150 specialized laboratories used to test, analyze, and troubleshoot virtually every aspect of rocket and satellite system design, development, construction, deployment, and operation. The expertise of the laboratories’s technical staff allows PSL to stay abreast of new technological developments and program support issues associated with rapidly evolving space systems.

The Atomic Clocks & Device Physics Section in PSL is involved in a broad range of both basic physics research and applied precise-timekeeping activities. We are looking for a candidate to contribute in the following areas: laboratory work developing atomic clock ensemble testbeds, simulations of space-timekeeping architectures, time transfer and synchronization studies, and the application of machine learning techniques to the operation of atomic clocks and timescale construction.

Candidates with a background in a relevant science or engineering discipline, with an interest in learning the field of precision timekeeping will be considered. The successful candidate will contribute to ongoing research in these areas, develop new research ideas, prepare research for publication internally and externally, and communicate with customers through various means. Responsibilities will also include assisting senior staff with creating briefing materials, proposals, laboratory experiments, analytical modeling, and data analysis.

Highlights of our lab's capabilities can be seen here: Virtual Tour

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

Plan and execute experiments and data analysis in precise timekeeping and atomic clocks.

Follow established best practices and procedures, contribute to developing additional processes as warranted for safe and productive laboratory operating principles.

Collaborate with staff from within the department and the organization at large on additional projects.

Work with management on creating and executing projects’ budgets and schedules.

Mentor staff and be a good steward of your individual and team contributions.

Assist senior staff with creating briefing materials, proposals, laboratory experiments, analytical modeling, and data analysis.

Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed.

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 needs
• Interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with other internal and external organizations

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements: Master’s degree from an accredited college/university program in Physics, Chemistry, Math, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or related discipline (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months) 0-1 year of industry work experience Hands on experience in a research laboratory environment with precise timekeeping and related equipment and infrastructure Strong organizational and communication skills which include test and demonstration planning, time/resource management, laboratory safety, and research documentation. This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance Transcripts

How You Can Stand Out

• PhD degree from an accredited college/university program in Physics, Chemistry, Math, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or related discipline (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)
• Knowledge of space-based position, navigation, and timing (PNT) and its users
• Experience generating precision timescales and ensembles for timekeeping metrology
• Experience with electrical design and prototyping for optical sensors and devices, including laser drivers, temperature control, low-noise detectors and amplifiers
• Experience with prototyping miniature and compact optical, fiber optic, and/or integrated photonic devices
• Experience with time transfer and synchronization, especially satellite time transfer
• Experience working with commercial manufacturers of atomic clocks, quantum sensors, or other precision fieldable devices
• Experience with pulsed optically pumped clocks, coherent population trapping, mercury ion clocks, frequency combs or optical clocks

Compensation

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.

Pay Basis: Annual

(Min - Max) $95,200.00 - $142,800.00

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

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

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.

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.