Orbit Determination, Estimation, and Space Domain Awareness Engineer 

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 and space-enabled capabilities.  

The Space Control and Awareness Department (SCAD) is seeking a new team member to support orbit determination, position, navigation, and timing (PNT) situational awareness, and geodesy for defense, intelligence, and civil government customers for the Aerospace Corporation. SCAD performs concept development, systems engineering, architecture analysis, algorithm development and evaluation support for national security space customers emphasizing Orbit Determination, Radar, Electro-Optical (EO) and Infrared (IR) sensors, command and control, missile warning/missile tracking (MW/MT) missions, electronic warfare (EW), space domain awareness (SDA), and space protection and security. One of SCAD’s missions is to develop, apply, and deliver high-fidelity PNT modeling, simulation, and performance analysis capabilities, and technical counsel across the domains of launch, space, ground, and user systems. 

Work Model  

This position can offer partially remote with at least three days onsite work required in Chantilly VA, Colorado Springs CO, or El Segundo CA as the business needs allow.  

What You’ll be Doing:  

• Plan and conduct technical deep dives, trade studies, and assessments for multi-disciplinary technical leaders, Aerospace Program Office personnel, and external customers including defense and civil agencies, such as the U.S. Space Force, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and others. 

• Advise key stakeholders and government customers by performing analyses related to orbit determination, target tracking, GNSS link-budget analysis, and signal integrity. 

• Design and apply novel filtering techniques to RPO mission applications 

• Provide technical expertise and leadership in the modeling and analysis of SDA and MW/MD sensors and systems and their broader system-of-systems architectures. 

• Conduct a range of analysis using a framework of modeling, simulation and analysis capabilities including in-house, custom, and commercially available/government provided modeling tools. 

• Analyze electro-optical (EO), infrared (IR), radar and passive radio frequency sensor concepts, architectures, and algorithms. 

• Develop and present timely and technically accurate briefings and reports that clearly communicate analysis results and provide recommended solutions, supporting critical decisions in collaboration with technical leads, management, and customers. 

• Support the development and maturation of analysis software tools. 

• Lead small teams of peers or more junior staff in conducting routine analysis and development tasks as part of larger project efforts. 

What You Need to be Successful: 

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or other STEM-related discipline from an accredited university. 

• 5 or more years of increasingly responsible post-bachelor’s experience in engineering, science, mathematics, or related fields. Graduate studies may count towards this experience.  

• Proficiency in one or more of the following computer languages/tools: C, C++, Fortran, Java, MATLAB, Python.  

• Applicable skills in designing and building filtering algorithms for Orbit Determination and PNT operations. 

• Relevant experience in technical writing and technical presentation. 

• The ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the US Government. US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. 

How You Can Stand Out 

• Graduate degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or other STEM-related discipline from an accredited university. 

• Current DoD TS/SCI security clearance. 

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and mentor colleagues. 

• Professional experience in space-based modeling, simulation, and analysis, such as space mission analysis and design, algorithm design, and mathematical modeling. 

• Professional experience in advanced mathematical topics, such as optimization theory, game theory, statistical estimation, and numerical analysis. 

• Experience with EO/IR sensors, especially for Space Domain Awareness. 

• Operational experience as an orbit analyst, space control operator, battle manager in the air, maritime or missile domains (e.g. AWACS, AEGIS, GMD, HIMARS, etc.), or an Air Force weapons school graduate. 

• Professional experience in modern software development, integration, and testing practices. 

• Professional experience in orbit determination, geodesy, and/or signal integrity topics. 

• Prior space-related work experience for a US government agency or contractor.