Space Enterprise Optimization Specialist

The Aerospace Corporation; United States; Hybrid; USD 117,300 - 175,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care and wellness plans

Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

401(k) plan with company match

Relocation assistance

Education assistance programs

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation seeks an Engineering Specialist (Engineering Integration – Modeling and Simulation Engineering) to develop and apply advanced simulation tools for space and ground design, optimization, and analysis. You will support architecture trade studies, requirements verification, and performance modeling across high-impact projects.

Based in a dynamic team within the Space Enterprise Design and Optimization Department, you will collaborate with cross-functional analysts, deliver

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in aerospace, astronautical, mechanical engineering, physics, operations research, mathematics, or related field.
• 6+ years of relevant and progressive professional or academic experience.
• Expertise in optimization techniques, satellite constellation design, orbital mechanics, or related mathematics.
• Experience with modeling and simulation tools for architecture assessment, analysis of alternatives, constellation design and optimization, orbital analysis, network design, or space security.
• History of contributions to technical analytical or development projects with accountability and adaptability.
• Knowledge of Python, C, C++, MATLAB, or equivalent programming language.
• Ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI clearance; US citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical expert and point of contact for space architecture design, optimization, and vehicle design.
• Leverage analysis tools to deliver insights through deep dives, trade studies, and assessments.
• Contribute to development of analysis software tools and enhance simulation capabilities.
• Develop and present timely, accurate analyses and communicate results with technical leads and customers.
• Build relationships with customers, government partners, and contractor teammates.
• Mentor junior staff in department capability areas.
• Occasional travel to support customer efforts.

Skills

Optimization techniques

Satellite constellation design

Orbital mechanics

Python

C

C++

MATLAB

Programming languages

Education

B.S. in aerospace engineering or related field

Graduate degree (preferred)

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Modeling & Simulation tools

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.

The Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a wide-ranging and dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities.

The Space Enterprise Design and Optimization Department (SEDOD) is in EED’s Enterprise Design Subdivision (EDS). We bring to bear expertise in a wide variety of fields to tackle tough problems and explore novel ideas, focusing on the performance modeling, analysis, and optimization of orbits, mission architectures, and acquisition portfolios to inform the future of the national space enterprise.

As part of SEDOD and EDS, an Engineering Specialist (Engineering Integration – Modeling and Simulation Engineering) will employ and develop sophisticated simulation tools to perform space and ground design, optimization, and analysis in support of architecture concept trade studies, requirements verification, analyses-of-alternatives, and performance modeling. They will act as a technical expert for a portfolio of high-impact projects, in addition to working on teams and collaborating with other analysts to expand their domain knowledge.

Work Model

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA; Chantilly, VA; or Colorado Springs, CO, offering an in-person work model that combines 4 or more regular onsite workdays per week and remote flexibility as the business needs allow.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Serving as key technical expert and point of contact for department projects in the area of space architecture design and optimization, trade space exploration, and vehicle design

• Leveraging in-house and commercial- and government-off-the-shelf engineering analysis tools to deliver technical insights through analytical deep dives, trade studies, and assessments in department focus areas

• Contributing to the development of analysis software tools and actively pursuing opportunities to enhance and improve existing simulation and analysis capabilities for a wide range of customers

• Developing and presenting timely and technically accurate presentations and reports that clearly communicate analysis results and provide recommended solutions to technical leads, management, and customers

• Building and maintaining a strong base of customers and collaborators for the department through effective working relationships with cross-organization partners, government customers, and contractor teammates

• Supporting department growth by technical mentoring of junior staff members in one or more department capability areas

• Occasional travel to support customer efforts

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Engineering Specialist

• B.S. degree in aerospace, astronautical, or mechanical engineering, physics, operations research, mathematics, or a related field of science or engineering

• 6 or more years of relevant and progressive professional or academic experience

• Expertise in one or more of the following: optimization techniques, satellite constellation design, orbital mechanics, mathematics related to satellite access geometry, or space vehicle design

• Experience with modeling and simulation tools in support of architecture assessment, analysis of alternatives, constellation design and optimization, orbital analysis, network design, or space security and defense

• Significant history of consistent contribution to multiple substantial technical analytical or development projects through their successful fruition

• A history that shows personal accountability, a willingness to learn and self-correct, and an ability to adapt to changing customer expectations

• Knowledge of Python, C, C++, MATLAB, or another programming language

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance with CI polygraph, which is issued by the US 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

• A graduate degree in aerospace, astronautical, or mechanical engineering, operations research, mathematics, or a related field of science or engineering

• Work history in one of these specific national security space or intelligence mission areas: geo-spatial intelligence, signals intelligence, missile warning/tracking/defense, space surveillance, space protection, or satellite communication networks supporting defense or intelligence capabilities

• Extensive knowledge of Intelligence Community or U.S. Department of Defense business practices, acquisition policies, or space mission portfolios

• Current TS/SCI access with current CI polygraph

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 - $175,900.00Pay 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.