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 Sensor Modeling and Simulation Department (SMSD) resides within MPD. Our team includes scientists and engineers across a broad range of disciplines actively engaged in developing the next generation of remote sensing systems of national importance. SMSD supports all aspects of advanced remote sensing system development: designing and assessing the performance of optics and electro-optical focal plane arrays, modeling the end-to-end sensing system, developing innovative data processing, and producing simulated data products for new applications.
Work Model: This is a full-time position based in Chantilly VA which requires 100% on-site work.
What You'll Be Doing
- Collaborate with subject matter experts from across The Aerospace Corporation to develop and use innovative algorithms and models that aid customers in understanding system capabilities and enhance national security
- Work with customers and contractors to develop and design industry standards - including tracking standards, image standards, and tracking metrics - to enhance communication and ensure mission success
- Develop statistically-representative models of change detection and tracking algorithms for performance prediction of remote sensing systems designed to detect and track the movement of targets (e.g. vehicles) in challenging environments
- Lead small teams of engineers and scientists in developing end-to-end computer vision capabilities - from vehicle motion to scene simulation to image chain analysis to product quality metrics - across multiple software interfaces
- Present your work to contractors and customers to encourage adoption, influence decisions, and drive system requirements
What You Need to be Successful - Engineering Specialist
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in a related STEM field, particularly Remote Sensing, Imaging Science, Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, Atmospheric Science, Computer Science, Optical or Electrical Engineering, or a related STEM discipline
- Eight years of experience after bachelor's degree (experience includes graduate school) with remote sensing system modeling, simulation, design, data processing, calibration, characterization, phenomenology, or applications
- Scientific programming and version control skills, ideally C++, Python, and git
- Communication expertise, including technical briefings and simplifying complex technical topics
- Experience modeling and evaluating remote sensing systems
- Willingness to travel approximately 10% of time
- This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance issued by the US government; U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for Senior Engineering Specialist include:
- Twelve years of related post grad experience
- Track record of leadership and mentorship
- Experience with modeling and simulation of electro-optical, visible, and/or infrared remote sensing systems including sensor performance figures of merit (e.g., SNR, Pd, Pfa)
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
- Advanced degree in a related STEM field, particularly Remote Sensing, Imaging Science, Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, Atmospheric Science, Computer Science, Optical or Electrical Engineering, or a related STEM discipline
- Experience with NATO STANAG (standardization agreement) standards or tracking standards from other sources
- Experience with agile software development and Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence)
- Current and active Top Secret/SCI security clearance
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 [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.
Top Skills
What the Team is Saying
What We Do
The space enterprise has been transformed by rapid change and growth. New vehicles for national security space, a more rapid launch cadence, proliferated satellite constellations, the pursuit of interplanetary exploration, and thriving commercial ventures are changing the nature of the space industry. The Aerospace Corporation (Aerospace) is a leading architect for U.S. space programs, shaping efforts to outpace threats to our national security while cultivating the technologies needed to further this new era of space commercialization and exploration.
Aerospace works across the space enterprise in service of the public interest. In addition to supporting the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community, our customers include NASA, NOAA, numerous federal agencies, and commercial space — all of whom benefit from our deep technical knowledge. We only pursue business related to the space mission and complementary fields, operating as the nation’s trusted partner to solve the toughest challenges and develop reliable and innovative technologies.
Innovation in space occurs when people have the freedom to imagine and do. At Aerospace, we take pride in our readiness to solve some of the most complex challenges in the space enterprise.
Why Work With Us
We are a non-profit corporation chartered by the government to work on the hardest problems in space. We employ technical experts in every discipline of space-related science and engineering who touch every part of the US space program. Come join us as we make an impact bigger than ourselves.
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Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
