Space Communications Digital Signal Processing and FPGA Engineer

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 the Mission Payloads Division (MPD), we are pioneers in remote sensing systems that guide our country’s space enterprise. Our talented and dynamic people create and flourish in electronics, sensors, radar, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced data network domains. We boldly advance technology through our research and development and then forward to demonstration and integration.   With innovative laboratories and prototyping, MPD delivers groundbreaking results. We guide our Department of Defense, intelligence community, and civil clients to enhance national productivity and security and tackle the most critical missions.  Bring your intelligence and creative spirit and join us at MPD!

In this role, you will be joining the Digital Electronics and Electromagnetics Department as an engineer who works both independently and as a member of project teams. You will be solving technical problems as well as developing experiments and prototypes in our labs with SDR hardware, FPGA development systems and RF signals equipment.

Work Model: This position will be located 100% on-site in Chantilly, VA.

What You’ll Be Doing

Solving technical problems in the areas of communications, signals collection, data

Processing, and implementing in hardware

• Developing experiments and prototypes in our laboratory facilities that include extensive SDR hardware, FPGA development systems, and RF signals test and measurement equipment

• Supporting customer programs by performing research, analysis, development, and assessments of signal processing algorithm implementations on operational hardware

• Providing subject matter expertise in Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and Software Defined Radios (SDR)

• Supporting our DOD and Intelligence customers with primary support to the National Reconnaissance Office

• Using your technical abilities and insights to keep ongoing development programs successful and to influence future missions

What You Need to be Successful – Engineering Specialist

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline

• Eight years of relevant experience

• Experience in a laboratory environment working with SDRs or FPGAs, and associated test equipment

• Work in developing and implementing DSP algorithms with real-world performance requirements on either CPU or FPGA-based platforms

• Willing to travel domestically up to 10% of time.

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SSBI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain this level of security clearance.

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for Senior Engineering Specialist:

• Ten or more years of relevant experience

• Experience providing deliverables and briefing management and customers on project progress

• 5 or more years of experience leading a team of engineers and serving as a project or program technical lead

• 5 or more years in digital design using VHDL and/or Verilog

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline

• Proficiency with a variety of popular SDR or FPGA tools such as GNUradio, Vivado, or ModerlSim

• Experience working with experts in the fields of antenna systems, RF systems, SIGINT and/or SAR processing, communications systems and hardware prototyping

• Experience with Linux-based DSP systems that span across CPUs, FPGAs, GPUs, SDR platforms

• Strong background in scientific programming using languages such as C, C++, Fortran, Julia, or Python

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 various 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 employer. 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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.