Laser Communication Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); Hybrid; USD 129,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care plans

Paid holidays & vacation

Telework options

401(k) plan with company match

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Senior Member of Technical Staff- Optical Engineering in California to lead lasercom validation and trade studies for space systems. You will work across the lifecycle from concept to on-orbit performance, guiding multi-disciplinary teams and communicating study results to customers.

Ideal candidates bring senior optical engineering experience, leadership, and a proven ability to deliver innovative laser communication solutions while maintaining TS/SCI

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in optics, physics, electrical engineering, or equivalent STEM discipline required with 5+ years of experience
• Experience with laser transmitters, optical detectors and technologies
• Demonstrated ability to support lasercom trade studies
• Familiarity with communications link and pointing error budgets
• Willing to travel domestically up to ~10%
• Must obtain TS/SCI SSBI clearance; U.S. citizenship required

Responsibilities

• Lead lasercom validation and verification activities, including testing, modeling, and simulation
• Develop and demonstrate innovative laser communication solutions
• Evaluate architectures through testing/analysis of gimbal, telescope, optical head, adaptive optics, and modem
• Conduct lasercom studies and report findings to customers
• Provide technical advice across space systems lifecycles
• Proactively inform management of technical problems and propose actions

Skills

Laser communication

Optical systems engineering

Technical leadership

Trade studies

Security clearance readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in optics/physics/electrical engineering or equivalent STEM

Tools

Matlab

Python

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. At the Mission Payloads Division (MPD), we are pioneers in remote sensing systems that guide our country’s space enterprise. Our talented and dynamic people create and flourish in electronics, sensors, radar, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced data network domains. We boldly advance technology through our research and development and then forward to demonstration and integration. With innovative laboratories and prototyping, MPD delivers groundbreaking results. We guide our Department of Defense, intelligence community, and civil clients to enhance national productivity and security and tackle the most critical missions. Bring your intelligence and creative spirit and join us at MPD!

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading lasercom system validation and verification activities which may include testing, modeling & simulation
• Developing and demonstrating innovative solutions to the most challenging problems in laser communication
• Evaluating ground and space laser communication system architectures through testing and or analysis of elements including the gimbal, telescope, optical head, adaptive optic system, and modem
• Conducting specialized satellite laser communications (lasercom) studies and reporting findings to internal and external customers
• Providing technical advice to management, customers, and associate contractors across the entirety of space systems lifecycles from early concept to on-orbit performance
• Engaging with impact: Taking initiative to inform management of perceived technical problems and recommending courses of action for mission success

What You Need to be Successful – Senior Member of Technical Staff- Optical Engineering

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in optics, physics, electrical engineering, or equivalent STEM discipline is required, with a minimum of five or more years of increasing, applicable professional experience in optical engineering
• Experience with laser transmitters, optical detectors and technologies
• Demonstrated ability to support lasercom trade studies
• Familiarity with communications link and pointing error budgets
• Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site/domestically up to approximately 10% Remote Local (50-150 miles) or Remote Distant (>150 miles) if required
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI SSBI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government.
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

Additional Minimum Requirements for Engineering Specialist

• Eight or more years of increasing, applicable professional experience in optical or communication systems engineering with relevance to lasercom
• Demonstrated technical leadership experience including leading design reviews, and guiding multi-disciplinary teams
• Proven track record of delivering optical system solutions for space programs
• History of high level of innovation, creativeness, and initiative

How You Can Stand Out

• Experience with atmosphere turbulence modeling and adaptive optics
• Master’s or PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Sciences, or another related technical field from an accredited university
• Professional background supporting systems engineering applied to satellite communications or optical systems
• Experience developing laser or electro-optical pointing, acquisition and tracking requirements
• Success supporting or leading laser system end-to-end requirements and designs inclusive of transmitter, optical elements and receiver
• Demonstrated ability to lead trade studies related to optical communications receiver designs
• Proven skills developing or managing development of specialized software tools in programming languages such as Matlab, Python, C++ or other used in lasercom related activities
• Current Secret or Top Secret clearance with SSBI or periodic reinvestigation completed within the last 5 years that resulted in clearance granted or maintained
• Current TS/SCI access with counterintelligence polygraph

We offer a competitive compensation package

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) $129,000.00 - $249,600.00 Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

• 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

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.

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