2024 Conjunction Assessment Engineer

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 Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.

Job Summary

Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within NASA, NOAA, and the NNSA, while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors.

Aerospace’s Civil Systems Group supports NASA, NOAA, FAA and other USG Civil and DOD agencies with the advancement of Flight Safety systems for commercial, civil and international space operations.   Flight Safety includes Space Traffic Management, Space Traffic Coordination, Space Situation Awareness, Space Domain Awareness to ensure operational assurance and long term space environment sustainability.  In your role as a Conjunction Assessment Engineer, you will support the Civil Systems team to advance space flight safety operations.   

Work Model

 100% Remote: This position has the option to be fully remote anywhere within the United States.

What You’ll Be Doing  

• Performing algorithm development and evaluation for satellite conjunction assessment and space sustainability using advanced theoretical/applied mathematics and statistics concepts
• Reviewing scientific publications related to advanced mathematical techniques (e.g., Lebedev Quadrature) and advanced statistical techniques (e.g., Dempster-Schafer theory, Possibility Theory) to assess applicability to satellite conjunction risk assessment
• Prototyping potential CA algorithm solutions to produce research-level software for evaluation purposes
• Giving oral presentations and producing written reports and conference papers summarizing the findings of algorithmic investigations
• Working with an engineering team to transition developed algorithms to operations and to evaluate statistically the performance of previous and proposed CA risk assessment techniques
• Training junior team members on mathematical and statistical concepts needed to perform CA risk assessment

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements: 

• Master's degree from an accredited college/university program in Mathematics, Applied Statistics or similar discipline (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months) 
• 0-1 year of industry work experience  
• Demonstrated conduct of large analysis projects and/or publications (e.g., master’s thesis, journal articles)
• Strong written and oral communications skills
• Training or teaching experience
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Willing to travel [occasionally to work location or customer site/domestically/internationally approx. 5%. 
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Transcripts required

 

How You Can Stand Out 

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

• Intermediate advanced degree (PhD degree in desired discipline)
• Teamwork and team leadership experience
• Publication history
• Strong mathematical/statistical aptitude

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)

$86,000 - $129,800

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 diverse 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/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. 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 ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.