Optical Thin Films Research Associate

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 84,600 - 126,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

Health benefits

Flexible scheduling

Career development

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, CA, is seeking an Optical Thin Films Research Associate to support research on optical coatings and thin films for space systems. The role involves hands-on materials processing, deposition, and characterization in a national security context.

You will work with a multidisciplinary team to develop testing methods, analyze data, and ensure calibration of equipment, contributing to space mission success and technology advancement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in materials science, mechanical or aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, physics, optics, or related
• Experience with thin films, coatings, and optical materials
• Laboratory environment experience and safety protocols
• Familiarity with data collection and data analysis

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific and laboratory support to programs investigating optical materials and thin films for advanced spacecraft applications.
• Operate and utilize materials processing and thin film deposition equipment as well as optical and materials characterization tools.
• Work with staff to develop, design, build, and modify characterization and analysis methods for optical materials and thin films.
• Collect, analyze, and present test data.
• Maintain specialized equipment and ensure proper calibration.

Skills

Thin films

Optical materials

Lab safety

Data analysis

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in materials science/engineering/physics/optics

Tools

SolidWorks

LabVIEW

PLC programming

High-vacuum systems

Lasers

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’ technical staff allows PSL to stay abreast of new technological developments and program support issues associated with rapidly evolving space systems.

The Advanced Materials Processing section of the Materials Processing Department (MPD) within the Space Materials Laboratory (SML) provides expertise and laboratory capabilities in optical materials, thin films, and space environmental effects on materials for advanced space systems. MPD hosts an interdisciplinary team working across materials science, optics, and engineering to design, deposit, and test optical materials for space applications.

We are seeking an Optical Thin Films Research Associate – Materials Science Research to support research, technology development, and program activities related to optical coatings, thin films, and optical materials for space applications.

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

• Provide scientific and laboratory support to programs investigating optical materials and thin films for advanced spacecraft applications in support of National Security Space, NASA, and civil and commercial customers.
• Operate and utilize materials processing and thin film deposition equipment as well as optical and materials characterization tools and techniques to deposit optical materials and evaluate their behavior.
• Work closely with technical staff and scientists to develop, design, build, and modify characterization, testing, and analysis methods and tools for optical materials and thin films.
• Apply standard techniques and procedures to carry out a series of scientific and/or engineering tasks.
• Resolve experiment, testing, and hardware issues, anomalies, and challenges.
• Collect, analyze, and present test data.
• Maintain specialized equipment and capabilities, and ensure proper calibration.
• Participate in interdisciplinary teams for ongoing research and technical programs.
• Provide creative solutions to diverse technical problems.
• Support more than one technical area of the department as needs arise, and support multiple projects concurrently.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s from an accredited university in materials science, mechanical or aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, physics, optics, or a related science or engineering discipline.
• Experience or familiarity with thin films, coatings, and optical materials.
• Prior experience in a laboratory environment and with lab safety protocols.
• Familiarity with laboratory data collection and data analysis.

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.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Master’s degree from an accredited university in materials science, mechanical or aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, physics, optics, or a related science or engineering discipline.
• Industry experience in optical coatings and materials, thin film deposition, or optical characterization.
• Hands‑on laboratory experience related to optics, optical materials, or materials processing, including thin film deposition techniques (PVD preferred).
• Experience with optical modeling of thin films or characterization of optical properties.
• Experience with one or more of the following: high‑vacuum systems and hardware, lasers and optical systems, automation, data acquisition and measurement systems (such as LabVIEW and PLC programming), mechanical design (such as Solidworks) and machining.
• Active TS/SCI 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) $84,600.00 - $126,900.00 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
• 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.