Space Network Systems Architect

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 194,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health care and wellness

Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

Telework options

401(k) Plan with company match

Education assistance programs

Relocation assistance

Flexible spending accounts

Professional growth programs

Inclusive work environment

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation seeks a Space Network Systems Architect to lead multi-disciplinary teams in designing next-generation space-ground networks. You’ll prototype, simulate, and validate architectures, ensuring mission success for DoD, IC, and civil clients.

The role requires deep networking expertise, security clearance eligibility, and willingness to work on-site at our El Segundo facility, collaborating with diverse partners across national security and space programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Eight+ years of experience designing network topology/architecture for ground-based and satellite networks.
• Strong understanding of network layers, protocols, and routing algorithms.
• Experience in network design, analysis, and some modeling & simulation.
• Track record in virtualization and enterprise computing platforms.
• Familiar with the latest networking and computing trends and technologies.
• Capability to travel to support customers at various locations.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US TS/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the US government.
• US citizenship is required

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-disciplinary engineering teams in the development and analysis of future network architectures.
• Direct development and implementation of advanced network protocols, routing, and QoS algorithms.
• Run and distribute tasking for systems engineering tasks through architecture definition and prototype development/validation.
• Evaluate and develop novel communication engineering technologies.
• Analyze and simulate complex network architectures and protocols.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to staff.
• Prepare technical documentation for DoD, IC, and civil customers meetings.
• Collaborate with diverse teams including military, government civilians, prime contractors, and other FF RDCs.
• Lead internal R&D projects to develop next generation space and ground network concepts.

Skills

Network design

Routing protocols

Modeling & simulation

Virtualization

Cloud platforms

Programming (Python/Matlab/C/C++)

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE/EE

Tools

Azure

AWS

VPC Security

CloudFormation

Python

MATLAB

C/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! The Aerospace Corporation’s Network Systems Department (NSD) is seeking an innovative Space Network Systems Architect with a strong background in networking architecture and design.

Candidate will be leading the development of future network concepts in space and its connectivity to ground entry points. Analysis of network architectures to validate successful fulfillment of customer requirements, prototyping certain segments of the network to verify data throughput resiliency, and performing network trade studies to compare routing protocol performance. Candidates will also be expected to prepare technology demonstrations to optimize the overall performance of terrestrial, satellite, launch vehicle, and ground-based communication systems. Support of future optical communication networking testbeds that require configuration of end-point networking hardware and connectivity with AWS VPC Cloud formation templates.

A qualified candidate will possess a good understanding of the latest networking and enterprise computing technologies, and the ability to apply that knowledge to solve the toughest problems for our customers. The selected candidate will be required to work full time on-site at our facility at El Segundo, CA

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead and participate in multi-disciplinary engineering teams in the development and analysis of future network architectures, also assist in defining future requirements to achieve mission success
• Direct development and implementation of advanced network protocols, routing, and QoS algorithms and architectures
• Run and distribute tasking for various systems engineering tasks and projects through systems architecture definition, development, analysis, modeling & simulation, and prototype development/validation
• Evaluate and develop novel communication engineering technologies
• Analyze and simulate complex network architectures and protocols
• Provide independent technical leadership, mentorship and direction to less experienced staff
• Prepare technical documentation for meetings with DoD, IC, and Civil & Commercial customers
• Also working closely with members of a diverse teams, comprising of military officers, government civilians, prime contractors, SE&I contractors and other FFRDCs
• Lead specialized technical studies and internal research and development projects to develop the next generation of Space and Ground network concepts, architectures, and technologies
• Support sustainment and development of core network simulation, emulation, and modeling capabilities
• Identify and develop new business opportunities with current and new customers

What You Need to be Successful - Engineering Specialist Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline
• Eight or more years of related experience with a strong capability of designing network topology/architecture for ground-based and satellite networks
• Strong understanding of network layers, protocols, and routing algorithms
• Experience in network design, analysis, and some modeling & simulation
• Track record in virtualization and enterprise computing platforms
• Familiar with the latest networking/computing trends and technologies
• Capability to travel to support customers at various locations
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US TS/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the US government.
• US citizenship is required

What You Can Stand Out

• Advanced technical degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or another related discipline
• Current CCIE or CCNP Cisco Certification
• Experience utilizing Python, MATLAB, and/or C/C++
• Strong expertise in Azure, AWS, VPC Security, Cloud Formation Templates
• Experience with military and commercial satellite communication systems and network engineering
• Experience with inter-satellite cross-links and laser optical communication technologies
• Project development experience and demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams
• In-depth understanding of emerging communication and network technologies (5G, IoT, IoST)
• Current and active U.S. Government issued DOD - Secret Clearance or higher

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.

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) $129,000.00 - $193,500.00 Pay Basis: Annual

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] .

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.

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.

Return to the Aerospace Careers site.

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