Space Situational Awareness and Spaceflight Safety Specialist

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 Systems Engineering Division (SED) provides unmatched experience in systems engineering to the U.S. government and to numerous public and private agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, consortia, and commercial companies involved in the advanced application of space technology. From systems architecture development to system analysis and optimization, astrodynamics, orbital debris, navigation, failure analysis, mission assurance, cost and schedule assessment, and economic market analysis, SED exploits an incredibly broad array of engineering and business disciplines against a diverse and dynamic portfolio of programs and national challenges.

Work Model

This position will require onsite support for a minimum of 3 days in either El Segundo, CA, Chantilly, VA, or Colorado Springs, CO with partial remote work options.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Space Situational Awareness and Spaceflight Safety Specialist (Engineering Specialist/Sr Engineering Specialist - Modeling & Simulation and Operations Systems Engineering) will be providing technical capabilities to support our customers in space situational awareness analysis and flight safety. 

In this role, you will: 

• You will contribute to multiple focus areas of the department, which include space domain awareness (SDA), SDA data management, space object tracking and cataloguing, space debris analysis, launch support, space traffic management, radio-frequency interference, and laser deconfliction
• Our real-time operations support performs launch and on-orbit collision risk assessments, on-orbit breakup event evaluation, and deorbit/reentry analysis
• Independently provide deep technical expertise, innovation, and project coordination/leadership in technical deep dives, trade studies, and assessments in teams with multi-disciplinary technical leaders across the company, Aerospace Program Office personnel, and external customers to define and address customer needs
• Develop and present timely and technically accurate briefings and reports that clearly communicate analysis results and provide recommended solutions to technical leads, management, and customers
• Train and mentor junior staff
• Travel occasionally (as necessary) to support customer efforts

What You Need to be Successful - Engineering Specialist- Modeling & Simulation and Operations Systems Engineering

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, math, science or related technical discipline from an accredited school
• Significant history of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific experience in leading and contributing to modeling and simulation activities successfully demonstrated across many customer-driven projects 
• Experience with Aerospace customers and industry players
• Aptitude with astrodynamics and related mathematics
• Demonstrated experience and expertise in development and analysis supporting SDA or spaceflight safety
• Skills in mathematical formulation and derivation
• Demonstrated skills in the development and use of computer software tools
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

What You Need to be Successful - Senior Engineering Specialist- Modeling & Simulation and Operations Systems Engineering

Additional Minimum Requirements

• Act as a department senior liaison, providing proactive coordination and consultation to customers and Aerospace staff across the company
• Provide support in strategic planning, identifying opportunities to leverage development and analysis across diverse projects and analysis types while suggesting ways to close capability gaps.
• Extensive history of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific experience in leadership and architecture of modeling and simulation activities demonstrated successfully over numerous substantial customer-driven projects 
• Extensive experience and expertise in development and analysis supporting SDA or spaceflight safety.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced degree in engineering, math, science or related technical discipline from an accredited school
• Experience with Python, C, and/or Fortran
• Many meaningful and consistent contributions to substantial technical analytical or development projects through their successful fruition
• Extensive experience in primary department areas of support
• Extensive experience with a diverse set of Aerospace customers
• Current and active Top-Secret Clearance (TS) with SCI access

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 - $226,200

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.