RF Communication Systems Engineer - Member of Technical Staff/ Sr Member of Technical Staff

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 Communications Technologies and Engineering Division (CTED) at Aerospace Corporation helps our customers solve the hardest problems in Satellite Communications, Signal Intelligence (SIGINT), and Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT). CTED provides solutions broadly covering architectures, policies, system design, performance, and development of cutting-edge prototypes in our laboratories. The division interacts with all major space customers to address their needs from terrestrial networks, ground stations and wireless systems to spacecraft, with a strong focus on robust and resilient communications.

The Communication Payload, Command & Telemetry Department (CPCTD) provides technical leadership and expertise in the areas of space communication payloads, navigation payloads, and telemetry, tracking and commanding systems as well as their ground counterparts.  CPCTD supports Space Systems Command, National Reconnaissance Office, other US Government, and Civil & Commercial customers. 

Work Model: This position will be a hybrid work model and offer partially remote with some onsite work required in Colorado Springs, CO; El Segundo, CA; or Chantilly, VA.

What You’ll Be Doing:

Provide cutting-edge space RF communication system design and hardware implementation risk assessment to include: 

• Space RF communication architecture system development lifecycle including: preliminary design, requirement definition and analysis, risk assessment, modeling & simulation, system test, and on-orbit support
• Quick-turnaround conceptual design and advanced architecture studies: 
  • Communication link budget trades
  • Constellation dynamic link modeling & simulation
  • Detailed system hardware architecture trade balancing insertion of advanced technology with appropriate risk
  • Documenting trade study results providing insight to senior decision makers   
  • Collaborate in multi-discipline team environments across the space vehicle subsystems
• Specific technical areas include:  transmitters, receivers, modems, microwave components, and antennas, communication waveforms.
• Concepts of operations & constellation orbital flight concepts

What You Need to be Successful – Member of Technical Staff

Minimum Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university program in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, Math or another related discipline
• Two or more years of relevant work experience
• Course work in communication systems, theory, analysis, and hardware implementation
• Fundamental knowledge of satellite communication, radar and/or position navigation and timing
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for Senior Member of the Technical Staff  include:  

• Five or more years of relevant work experience
• Increasing responsibilities in the area of RF communication systems
• Ability to work mostly independently with limited oversight

How You Can Stand Out 

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

• Possess or pursuing a Master’s degree from an accredited college/ university program in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, Math or another related discipline
• Prior relevant internship experience
• Broad modeling and coding experience in multiple environments (e.g. MATLAB, Python, SQL, LATEX, etc)
• Knowledge in developing or implementing communications architectures including satellite Tracking, Telemetry & Command (TT&C)
• Digital signal processing
• Satellite test and integration experience
• Link 16 knowledge and experience
• Active TS/SCI Clearance

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)

$95,200 - $165,500

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.