Space Domain Awareness Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; Chantilly (VA); Hybrid; USD 117,000 - 227,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health care and wellness

401(k) Plan

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

Flexible schedules

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in Chantilly, VA is seeking an Engineering Specialist to join the Space Control and Awareness Division. You will evaluate risks to satellite operations, contribute to EW, orbital warfare planning, and model complex space scenarios while mentoring early-career engineers.

This full-time, hybrid role requires on-site presence at Chantilly (VA) and other sites; U.S. citizenship and TS/SCI clearance are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, science, or a related technical field.
• A minimum of 6 years of engineering or aerospace experience.
• Experience with modeling, simulation, and/or algorithm development.
• Proficiency in at least one programming language: Python, MATLAB, C++, Java, C, or FORTRAN.
• Experience with satellite operations and/or modelling and simulation of operational risk to satellites.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government-issued TS/SCI security clearance and polygraph. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Assess Space Threats & Resilience: Evaluate risks to satellite operations from interference, optical threats, debris, collisions, and counterspace activities.
• Support Space Control Operations: Contribute to electronic warfare, orbital warfare, and directed energy mission planning and analysis.
• Model & Simulate: Use cutting-edge tools (custom, commercial, and government systems) to analyze complex space scenarios.
• Analyze Sensor Systems: Evaluate EO/IR, radar, and RF sensor concepts and architectures.
• Advise key stakeholders and government customers: Perform analyses related to orbit determination, target tracking, GNSS analysis, and signal integrity.
• Support Exercises & War-gaming: Participate in simulations that shape future space strategies.
• Lead & Mentor: Provide technical leadership on modeling and simulation efforts while guiding early-career engineers.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

C++

Java

C

FORTRAN

Modeling & simulation

Security clearance

Leadership

Education

Bachelor of Science in engineering/science/related field

Master’s degree (advantage)

PhD (advantage)

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.

Are you passionate about space operations and national security? Do you want to work on cutting-edge challenges that protect our nation's space assets? 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 electronic warfare (EW), directed energy (DE) effects, space domain awareness (SDA), advanced sensor systems, orbit determination, and space protection.

Space Object Risk Department (SORD) supports critical national security space missions through systems engineering, architecture analysis, modeling and simulation, and operational support. Our work spans debris and reentry risk assessments, launch support, flight safety through collision avoidance and electromagnetic interference, space domain awareness (SDA) and satellite cataloguing and maintenance, and orbit determination

Work Model:

This full-time position is based on a hybrid work model, requiring on-site presence at facilities in El Segundo CA, Colorado Springs CO, Chantilly VA, or Albuquerque NM for at least 4 days per week, subject to business needs.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Assess Space Threats & Resilience: Evaluate risks to satellite operations from interference, optical threats, debris, collisions, and counterspace activities
• Support Space Control Operations: Contribute to electronic warfare, orbital warfare, and directed energy mission planning and analysis
• Model & Simulate: Use cutting-edge tools (custom, commercial, and government systems) to analyze complex space scenarios.
• Analyze Sensor Systems: Evaluate electro-optical (EO), infrared (IR), radar, and passive RF sensor concepts and architectures.
• Advise key stakeholders and government customers: Perform analyses related to orbit determination, target tracking, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) analysis, and signal integrity.
• Support Exercises & Wargaming: Participate in operational simulations that shape future space strategies
• Lead & Mentor: Provide technical leadership on modeling and simulation efforts while guiding early-career engineers
• Collaborate Across the Enterprise: Work with government customers, program offices, and technical teams across Colorado Springs, El Segundo (CA), Chantilly (VA), and beyond

What You Need To Be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Engineering Specialist

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, science, or a related technical field
• A minimum of 6 years of engineering or aerospace experience
• Experience with modeling, simulation, and/or algorithm development
• Applicable skills in designing and building filtering algorithms for Orbit Determination and PNT operations.
• Experience with satellite operations and/or modelling and simulation of operational risk to satellites
• Proficiency in at least one programming language: Python, MATLAB, C++, Java, C, or FORTRAN
• Experience organizing and leading cross-functional, cross-organizational teams to execute projects or studies
• Exceptional interpersonal verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability to support periodic travel within the continental United States
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government-issued TS/SCI security clearance and polygraph. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Sr. Engineering Specialist include:

• Master's degree or PhD in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Astronomy, or related field, OR
• Bachelor's degree with 12+ years of relevant experience
• Experience with DoD and/or IC systems design and space mission architectures
• Proven ability to collaborate with discipline experts to develop technical positions, provide risk assessments, and formulate courses of action
• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative on-site work environment

How You Can Stand Out

• Master’s and/or Ph.D. in engineering, science, or a related technical field
• 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, such as intelligence sensors
• Orbit Determination, filtering, PNT analyses, and sensor tracking.
• Command & control (C2) background
• EO/IR sensor expertise or active/passive RF collection modeling
• Systems engineering or architecture development experience
• Collision avoidance and debris risk modelling experience
• Electromagnetic interference: familiarity with electromagnetic interference related to spacecraft or launch vehicles
• SDA catalog experience: Demonstrated experience in development and analysis related to space object cataloguing

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)

$117,300.00 - $226,900.00

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.