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. Our staff includes subject matter experts across a broad range of disciplines including radio frequency; infrared; visible and spectral sensors; sensor exploitation methods; analog and digital electronics; vehicle power systems; and space system electronic parts, materials, and processes. Our expertise, combined with sophisticated in-house laboratories, prototyping, modeling, and simulation capabilities, enables ESD to deliver innovative solutions to national space systems and civil customers.
The Radar Processing and Analysis Department (RPAD) resides within ESD and is in Chantilly, VA and teams on multiple projects with its sister organization in ESD, the Radar and Signal Systems Department (RSSD) in El Segundo, CA. We specialize in solving technical challenges covering Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) image formation processing, Space and Ground Radar system modeling (antenna modeling, transmit and receive chain modeling, etc.), Moving Target Indication (MTI), maritime surveillance, electronic warfare, signal processing, and algorithm development for advanced SAR image products.
We are looking for Signal & Image Process Engineers and RF Payload Systems Engineers - Member of Technical Staff or Senior Member of Technical Staff, to grow our department of highly skilled technical specialists. Join us today and become a part of a culture of innovation, growth, technical excellence, and significant contributions to our nation's capabilities!
Work Model: This is a mostly onsite role, requiring 4 or more days/week onsite in Chantilly, VA
What You'll Be Doing
- Developing and using innovative techniques and tools to perform space payload and ground system processing analysis and design in support of architecture concept trade studies, requirements verification, analyses-of-alternatives, and mission performance
- Evaluating Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Moving Target Indication (MTI), maritime surveillance, and electronic warfare applications
- Creating and evolving SAR image formation processors to improve product quality and investigate innovative applications of advanced radar products
- Designing SAR antenna, payload, and sensor capabilities for mission success
- Modeling target RF signatures for exploitation applications
- Characterizing performance to support program acquisition, planning and maturation
- Supporting a portfolio of high-impact projects, engaging with other experts across multiple disciplines to explore innovative enterprise solutions to critical national missions
What You Need to be Successful - Member of Technical Staff
Minimum requirements include:
- Bachelor's degree in a related technical discipline and 2 or more years of relevant experience
- Technically adept using MATLAB or Python to implement solutions to problems
- Familiarity with modeling and simulation of radar sensor performance
- Desire to learn SAR signal and/or image processing
- This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI access clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Senior Member of Technical Staff include:
- Bachelor's degree in a related technical discipline and 5 or more years of relevant experience
- Work with SAR signal and/or image processing for Radar, SAR, or SIGINT
- Experience with modeling and simulation of SAR sensor performance and resiliency
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
- PhD degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Geophysics, or related technical discipline
- Familiarity with signal and/or image processing for SAR, radar, or SIGINT
- Knowledge of space-based systems
- Current and active Top Secret/SCI security clearance
- Experience with electronic warfare and/or electronic protection applications
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 [email protected]. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.
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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.
