Senior Space Architecture Optimization 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 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 diverse 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-enabled mission effects.

SEDOD is part of the Enterprise Design Subdivision in the Enterprise Effects Division. The Enterprise Design Subdivision (EDS) designs solutions that meet our customer’s most pressing mission needs and yield asymmetric space advantages for the nation. As a member of this dynamic team, you’ll drive responsive and comprehensive trades across the system, mission, and portfolio levels. You’ll collaborate across disciplines, leveraging concurrent engineering and multi-objective optimization capabilities to design space, ground, and communication network concepts and architectures. You’ll innovate, not only with bespoke designs, but also harnessing the best capabilities from commercial and international partners. You’ll ask the right questions to expand decision options and accelerate delivery of mission end effects.

As part of SEDOD and EDS, a Senior Member of Technical Staff (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. Additionally, this staff member will leverage optimization techniques to enable our customers to make data-driven decisions regarding portfolio composition, budget planning, and commercial purchasing. 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 Colorado Springs, CO; Chantilly, VA; or El Segundo, CA; offering a hybrid work model that combines 4 or more regular onsite workdays a week and remote flexibility as the business needs allow.  

What You’ll Be Doing 

•  Independently and collaboratively conducting deep dives, trade studies, and assessments to define and address customer needs in the areas of space architecture design and optimization , space network design, orbital analysis, and space security and defense
•  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
• Serving as a peer mentor to new and junior staff, guiding routine analysis and development tasks as part of larger project efforts, and promoting a collaborative environment for professional growth

What You Need to be Successful 

• Minimum Requirements:
• B.S. degree in aerospace, astronautical, or mechanical engineering, physics, operations research, mathematics, or a related field of science or engineering 
• Three or more years of relevant and progressive professional or academic experience
• Experience with constellation design, orbital mechanics, mathematics related to satellite access geometry, or optimization
• Significant history of making effective contributions to a wide range of technical analysis or development projects 
• Ability to support multiple programs and/or activities simultaneously act as a technical point-of-contact 
• Knowledge of Python, C, C++, MATLAB, or another programming language
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance (TS/SCI), which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Willingness to take a Counter-Intelligence (CI) polygraph

How You Can Stand Out 
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• A graduate degree or extensive work experience in the fields of study mentioned above
• Work history in one of these specific national security space or intelligence mission areas: geo-spatial intelligence, signals intelligence, space surveillance, space protection, ground systems, or communications infrastructure
• Background in one or more of the following areas: optimization techniques, genetic algorithms, space mission design, satellite constellation performance modeling, satellite orbit access analysis, simulation development, or payload/bus design
• Experience independently creating, executing, and debugging modeling and simulation tools
• Current TS/SCI access with a 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)

$100,300 - $150,400

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.