Digital Design Engineer - Senior Engineering 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 Electronics and Sensors Division (ESD) is a world-class engineering and scientific leader in electronics and remote sensing systems. The Digital and Integrated Circuit Electronics Department (DICED) resides within ESD and supports the design, modeling, simulation, verification, analysis, and test for microelectronics and digital electronic boards, FPGA/ASIC, boxes, subsystems, and systems for civil, commercial, and national space systems.  Our expertise in digital electronics—combined with sophisticated in-house laboratories, rapid prototyping, industry-standard modeling and simulation capabilities—enables DICED to deliver innovative solutions to national space systems and civil customers.

Work Model:  Full Time on site with occasional work from home opportunities

What You’ll Be Doing

Program Support: Serve as the technical authority, consultant, primary investigator, or project leader on multiple programs, collaborating seamlessly with both internal and external customers.

Technical Guidance: Provide invaluable oversight, guidance, and expert advice on customer projects, including assessing space flight worthiness of electronics and electronic systems and performing specialized analytical and experimental studies pertaining to the design and development of digital and mixed-signal circuits, electronics, and systems.  

Digital, Mixed Signal, and Microelectronics Expertise: Leverage your profound expertise in the field of digital electronic systems for space applications to drive innovation and mission assurance while mentoring less experienced technical staff and serving as a role model in the organization.

Quality Assurance: Thoroughly evaluate and independently verify contractor designs, methodologies, and overall system performance to ensure the highest standards of quality and reliability.

What You Need to be Successful                                      

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in electrical engineering or another related field

• Twelve or more years of experience in engineering/scientific areas related to space digital and microelectronic hardware design, development, test, and verification of satellites, and/or space systems engineering

• Experience applying design best practices in the development of space digital and mixed-signal systems including concept and requirements definition, design, manufacturing, assembly, system integration, and test as well as on-orbit operation at board/unit/sub-system/system level

• In-depth knowledge of space qualification of electrical components, board-level and component-level radiation testing and space radiation effects

• Experience performing worst case circuit analysis (WCCA), signal integrity, and circuit simulation utilizing analysis tools such as HyperLynx and PSPICE

• Ability to troubleshoot hardware anomalies and failures including performing root-cause analysis and providing resolution in digital and mixed-signal circuits as well as subsystems

• Experience with lab measurements using oscilloscopes, TDRs, VNAs, and spectrum analyzers

• Strong background in standard digital circuit interface operation (1553, RS-422, LVDS, SpaceWire, etc.)

• Experience leading teams in the design, development, test, and verification of digital and microelectronic hardware across multiple projects

• Ability to work in a collaborative environment and interact effectively with upper management, internal and external customers, contractors, and colleagues

• Strong communication skills with the ability to document projects in technical reports, presentations/briefs, and report findings to the customer and Aerospace management

• Ability and willingness to work on-site a minimum 3 days per week for in-person lab or classified work

• Willing to travel domestically up to 25%

• Position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance that is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced degree from an accredited university in electrical engineering or another related discipline

• Ability to identify risk and lead risk reduction efforts in digital and mixed-signal electronics systems

• Experience designing FPGA/ASICs with a hardware description language such as VHDL, Verilog, and/or System Verilog

• Knowledge of mixed-signal analog design (active filters, precision current drives, data converter support circuitry) and simulation

• Experience performing signal integrity simulation, analysis, and test

• Strong background in transmission line theory, electromagnetics, PCB layout, and package layout techniques

• Demonstrated understanding of high-speed digital communications, space payload electronics and subsystems, command and data handling (C&DH) systems, and digital signal processing

• Current Secret or Top-Secret clearance with SSBI or periodic reinvestigation completed within the last five years that resulted in clearance granted or maintained

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)

$151,300 - $226,900

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.