Space Domain Awareness and Directed Energy Analyst

The Aerospace Corporation; Colorado Springs (CO); Presencial; USD 87.000 - 150.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Comprehensive health care and wellness

Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

Telework options

401(k) Plan with company match

Education assistance programs

Relocation assistance

Descripción de la vacante

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking talented professionals for the Space Control and Awareness Department in Colorado Springs. You will assess threats to satellite operations, support orbital warfare planning, and analyze EO/radar sensors to enhance space domain awareness.

Join a team delivering innovative solutions across space missions, collaborating with government customers and cross-functional teams at multiple sites nationwide. A security clearance is preferred and citizenship is required.

Formación

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering, physics, math, CS, astronomy or related field.
• 2 years of experience in Space Operations: SDA or space surveillance.
• Familiarity with optical and radar sensor systems.
• Experience with space control, counterspace, or space protection missions.
• Background in satellite operations, orbit analysis or space situational awareness.
• Knowledge of directed energy concepts (lasers, nuclear effects).
• Analytical, modeling, simulation or algorithm development skills.
• Proficiency in at least one programming language (Python, MATLAB, C++, Java, C, or FORTRAN).
• Ability to develop or use computer tools to solve complex interdisciplinary problems.
• Strong briefing and collaboration skills; capable of working with senior officials and cross-functional teams.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain security clearance.

Responsabilidades

• Assess Space Threats & Resilience: Evaluate risks to satellite operations from optical threats, lasers, nuclear effects, RF threats, debris, and counterspace activities.
• Support Space Control Operations: Contribute to orbital warfare and directed energy mission planning and analysis.
• Analyze Sensor Systems: Evaluate EO, radar, and passive RF sensor concepts and architectures.
• Model & Simulate: Use tools to analyze complex space scenarios.
• Support Exercises & Wargaming: Participate in operational simulations shaping future space strategies.
• Collaborate Across the Enterprise: Work with government customers and teams across multiple locations.

Conocimientos

Space domain awareness

Orbital analysis

Optical and radar sensors

Directed energy concepts

Programming: Python, MATLAB, C/C++

Educación

Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Astronomy

Herramientas

Space Surveillance Network (SSN) familiarity

Descripción del empleo

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. Join The Aerospace Corporation's Enterprise Effects Division (EED), where innovation meets mission impact. Our division tackles the most pressing challenges in space operations—from emerging threats to satellite systems to next‑generation space domain awareness capabilities. We're looking for talented professionals who are ready to make a difference in space security, whether you're transitioning from military service, coming from industry, or seeking to apply your technical skills to real‑world operational challenges.

The Space Control and Awareness Department (SCAD) supports critical national security space missions through systems engineering, architecture analysis, modeling and simulation, and operational support. Our work spans space domain awareness (SDA), advanced sensor systems, radar and optical sensors, directed energy and nuclear effects, orbit determination, modeling and simulation, and space protection.

What You'll Do

• Assess Space Threats & Resilience: Evaluate risks to satellite operations from optical threats, such as lasers, nuclear effects, RF threats, debris, collisions, and counterspace activities.
• Support Space Control Operations: Contribute to orbital warfare and directed energy mission planning and analysis
• Analyze Sensor Systems and data: Evaluate electro‑optical (EO), radar, and passive RF sensor concepts and architectures
• Model & Simulate: Use cutting‑edge tools (custom, commercial, and government systems) to analyze complex space scenarios
• Support Exercises & Wargaming: Participate in operational simulations that shape future space strategies
• Collaborate Across the Enterprise: Work with government customers, program offices, and technical teams across Colorado Springs, ElSegundo (CA), Chantilly (VA), and beyond

Who We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor or Masters Degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Astronomy, or related field
• Two years of Experience in Space Operations: Background in one or more of the following areas: Space Domain Awareness (SDA) or space surveillance
• Optical and radar sensor systems
• Space control, counterspace, or space protection missions
• Satellite operations, orbit analysis, or space situational awareness
• Directed energy concepts, such as lasers or nuclear effects
• Analytical & Technical Skills: Experience with modeling, simulation, and/or algorithm development
• Proficiency in at least one programming language:Python, MATLAB, C++, Java, C, or FORTRAN
• Ability to develop or use computer tools to solve complex interdisciplinary problems
• Communication & Collaboration: Strong briefing and interpersonal skills; comfortable working with senior government officials, contractors, and cross-functional teams
• Security Clearance: Must be aU.S. citizenand able to obtain and maintain a government security clearance

Preferred Qualifications (Nice to Have!)

• Active TS/SCI clearance(highly desired)
• Military or operational background: Experience as an orbit analyst, space control operator, intelligence analyst, or battle manager (air, maritime, or missile defense domains)
• Sensor operations experience: Familiarity with Space Surveillance Network (SSN) sensors or other space surveillance systems
• Command & control (C2) background EO or radar sensor expertise
• Systems engineering or architecture developmentexperience

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) $86,600.00 - $150,400.00 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

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

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.