Space Domain Awareness Engineer

About this role

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 Advanced Sensor Engineering Department (ASED) is a multi-disciplinary group of engineers and scientists actively engaged in supporting current and future generations of remote sensing systems of national importance. ASED covers a wide range of focus areas include largely focused around Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and EO/IR collection capabilities. While members of ASED have a core competency area, they are all willing to work, learn, and engage in methodologies and efforts outside of this core competency to support a wide range of efforts and activities. This includes modeling system performance, exploring new phenomenologies, developing proof of concept and/or prototype systems, providing assessments of EO/IR sensor components and systems, and developing algorithms and techniques for the analysis and processing of remote sensing data. All this is supported and accomplished through modeling, simulation, and laboratory capabilities. The selected candidate will be required to work full time on-site at our facility at Chantilly, VA.

What You’ll Be Doing • Supporting the design, development, and characterization of Space Domain Awareness collection capabilities through modeling, analysis, and laboratory capabilities

• Designing, developing, demonstrating, and testing capabilities for laboratory and field testing

• Exploring Space Domain Awareness system design trades through modeling, analysis, and/or prototyping

• Implementing, developing, and/or assessing image processing and data analysis techniques for EO/IR data sets

• Working with a team of junior and senior staff with a diverse knowledgebase across Aerospace and multiple customers on technical studies as both contributor and leader

What You Need to be Successful – Engineering Specialist Minimum Requirements: • Bachelor’s in Physics, Astronomy, Remote Sensing, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Imaging Science, Optical Engineering, or another related discipline

• Eight or more years of relevant work experience relating to EO/IR systems and/or EO/IR data sets relating to Space Domain Awareness

• Expertise with data analysis, modeling, characterization, design, and/or performance assessments of EO/IR systems and data

• Experience implementing laboratory experiments relating to characterization of optical components, focal planes, and/or radiometric characterization

• Proficiency with programming environments and languages such as MATLAB, Python, and/or C/C++

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security 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 Senior Engineering Specialist include: • Twelve or more years of relevant work experience relating to EO/IR system analysis, assessment, modeling, data processing and/or exploitation

• Understanding of radiometric calibration methodologies as applied to space-based systems

• Strong understanding of focal plane technologies including characterization, calibration, modeling, and assessing impact on downstream data

How You Can Stand Out It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: • An advanced degree in Physics, Astronomy, Remote Sensing, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Imaging Science, Optical Engineering, or another related discipline

• Experience collecting, analyzing, and applying data with standard radiometric measurement equipment including spectrometers, power meters, and/or other relevant tools

• Expertise related to Space Domain Awareness modeling and analysis methodologies

• A strong understanding of focal plane characteristics and parameters and how they impact imagery products

• Prior Experience working with change detection and tracking products derived from imagery

• Prior experience developing and automating flexible data processing pipelines and testing capabilities

• Knowledge and experience with synthetic scene and image generation using DIRSIG and/or MODTRAN

• Demonstrated ability to apply laboratory measurements and results to modeling and assessment of EO/IR systems

• Current TS/SCI

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) $129,000.00 - $249,600.00

Pay Basis: Annual Leadership Competencies Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role

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