Sr. Space Systems Analyst/Space Systems Analyst

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.

The Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, developmental planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape future space missions across the national security space enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including, the United States Space Force, the Department of the Air Force, the Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Space Command, U.S. Strategic Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers but also horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation.

Aerospace’s Strategic and Global Awareness Directorate (Project West Wing) provides technical intelligence analysis and research for a broad range of national security space and intelligence community customers. Our team works to provide unique, timely, and independent assessments and counsel pertaining to current and future threats to the use of space as well as the effectiveness of strategic deterrents. Actively contribute to an elite, high-performing team bringing technical skills to bear to characterize the fast-moving field of international space technologies and their implications to U.S. National Security Space. Participate in a wide range of technical activities, work with technical intelligence, analyze threats to space programs, and influence customer decisions on important National Security Space topics. The potential exists to develop your own areas of expertise and specialization in the analysis of space and missile systems.

Work Model

This position is an on-site position at the Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, CA. This position is not eligible for teleworking.

What You Will Be Doing

• Responsively assess the potential impact of current worldwide space and counterspace activities on U.S. national security space operations
• Utilize intelligence sources to perform engineering analysis to identify and mitigate space-based threats and threat enablers
• Conduct detailed technical analyses of current and future space systems
• Develop algorithms to study and/or fuse different sets of information and utilize data analytics to implement advanced processing and analysis techniques
• Identify new areas of concern in Space Domain Awareness and proactively develop recommendations for further global data collection and research
• Identify short- and long-term technical challenges for a diverse customer base, including the USAF/USSF, the Intelligence Community, and other government customers
• Prepare technical reports, briefings, and other deliverable materials
• Critically review reports, briefings, and other materials produced by team members
• Support and develop customer relationships
• Occasional travel required for presentations and meetings with Aerospace/PWW personnel and U.S. Government agencies throughout the country.  International travel to conferences or meetings is possible. 

What You Will Need To Be Successful – Project Engineer – Signal & Image Process Engineering

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering, Computer Science, Data Analytics, or Mathematics
• Six or more years of relevant experience
• Familiarity with space systems engineering, satellites, and operations/space craft systems or data analytics background in a space environment
• Strong desire to do deep technical analysis
• Be a proactive, fast learner with the willingness and ability to work in a dynamic high visibility environment with routine engagement with executive levels of government and decision makers.
• Highly motivated self-starter capable of both independent analysis and collaborating with teams
• Strong interest and enthusiasm for understanding global space activities and operations
• Mission focused and willing to make a difference
• Ability to analyze technical data, produce novel insights and conclusions, and effectively communicate results
• Superior written and oral communication skills; the ability to work well with other analysts and communicate to senior military and civilian customers
• Flexibility to learn new tools/capabilities as needed
• An affinity for challenging puzzles and problem solving
• This position requires an Active TS/SCI clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Willingness to take a CI Polygraph

In addition to the above, the Senior Project Engineer – Signal & Image Process Engineering requires the following:

• 12 or more years relevant technical experience
• Proven experience space systems engineering, satellites, and operations/space craft systems or data analytics background in a space environment
• Able to guide and mentor other analysts and develop more effective data processing techniques
• Collaborate with government customers and identify new projects of interest
• Effectively prioritize efforts based on a combination of factors (e.g. impact, relevance, findings, etc.)
• Confidently communicate insights and findings and their significance to senior leadership

How You Can Stand Out

It would impressive if you have one or more of the following:

• Advanced degree in Science, Engineering, Computer Science, or Mathematics
• Background in space systems engineering, space domain awareness, space system data analysis, or related fields
• Understanding of EO sensor systems
• Understanding of RF systems
• Understanding of astrodynamics fundamentals and experience with related analysis tools such as STK (Systems [previously Satellite] Took Kit) or SOAP (Aerospace’s Satellite Orbit Analysis Program)
• Proficiency with Python and/or other scripting/programming languages
• Experience with fusing and analyzing information from multiple sources and extrapolating to answer questions 
• Prior experience and familiarity with DoD and IC agencies and organizations
• Reading comprehension and translation skills in selected foreign languages is of interest

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 - $249,600

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.