Senior Missile Warning, Tracking and Defense Calibration 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!

The Visible and Infrared Sensor Systems Department (VISSD) resides within MPD, and our staff supports the design and development of electro-optical (EO) sensor payloads and prototypes. Our expertise includes the following: concept definition and mission driven design synthesis of electro-optical space sensors, detailed characterization and performance analysis of visible and infrared (IR) image sensors, as well as the design, assembly, integration and test (AI&T) of ground and airborne prototype sensors. This expertise combined with additional in-house (MPD) laboratories, prototyping, performance modeling, and simulation capabilities, enables VISSD to deliver innovative solutions to our civil, commercial, and national space systems customers.

Calibrated data products underpin the Missile Warning, Tracking, and Defense (MWTD) and Battlespace Awareness and Technical Intelligence (BA/TI) mission areas. Calibrated data products and the subject matter expertise to guide their generation are a core competency of The Aerospace Corporation and have proven their value over several decades of support to OPIR programs. A robust calibration capability guides the sensor design and development to successful attainment of key mission performance attributes such as minimum detectable target intensity and absolute target intensity accuracy for missile typing and intelligence tasks. On orbit, a calibration program trends sensor performance over time and diagnoses on-orbit anomalies such as contamination from ice or volatiles, FPA degradation in the space environment, and mirror and optical degradation. In mission operational support, calibrated data products enable data fusion among a variety of OPIR systems because a common calibration basis in physical units enables combining measurements over diverse collection conditions. The Aerospace Corporation is the recognized community leader for stellar calibration campaigns, which provide the most reliable source for space-based radiometric calibration. The Aerospace Corporation is dedicated to supporting the future MWTD capabilities in line with the current government space-based remote sensing acquisitions.

Work Model: This position can be based in Boulder, Colorado or El Segundo, California and requires a minimum of three days per week in office.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Trending radiometric and goniometric calibrations for the various sensors over time
• Comparing performance attributes for sensors that are part of different constellations/ at different orbital altitudes
• Assessing stray light and off-axis response performance of the sensors and comparing to prelaunch models
• Evaluating noise performance under different mission conditions (deep space/ATH, BTH low/benign clutter, BTH high background/clutter conditions), and comparing the results to predictions for same
• Seeking approaches to streamline calibration processes on the ground and a pipelines for data handling
• Advising on the quality of proposals by assessing sensor designs, data processing approaches, and mission performance through modeling, simulation, and data analysis
• Supporting customer acquisitions throughout the lifecycle, from program definition through AI&T and on-orbit operations

What You Need to be Successful – Engineering Specialist or Senior Engineering Specialist

Minimum Requirements:

• Experience with FPA testing and data interpretation and/or optical design and performance
• Understanding of thermal vacuum testing procedures and equipment for IR sensor prelaunch testing
• Familiarity with contamination control plans and methods for testing for same
• Bachelor’s degree in astronomy, optical design, imaging science, or remote sensing-related disciplines
• 8 or more years of industry related electro-optical engineering experience

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

• All of the above minimum requirements for Electro-Optical Engineer – Engineering Specialist
• Current working relationships within the space EO/IR sensor system community
• Past involvement with leadership activities such as project planning, resource management, and developing customer relationships
• 12 or more years of industry related electro-optical engineering experience

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced (Masters or Ph.D.) degree from an accredited program in physics, electrical engineering, optics, mechanical engineering or another related field
• An active SCI/Top Secret security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
• Demonstrated history of supporting EO/IR programs through an entire lifecycle, from initial development studies through on-orbit operations

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)

$129,000 - $249,600

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 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.