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.
Information Systems and Cyber Division (ISCD) staff couple the latest in information system technologies, such as elastic compute clouds, containerization, microservices, real-time operating systems, and visualization frameworks, with expertise in cyber security, software architecture, software engineering, data science, Artificial Intelligence, process improvement, and software development to deliver responsive, resilient, high-performance software intensive systems to our Intelligence Community, DoD, and civilian customers.
The Embedded and Specialized Computing Department (ESCD) is seeking a Junior Specialized Embedded Engineer (AMTS/MTS/SMTS - Computer Engineering) to perform research and development activities towards innovative hardware and software prototypes in areas such as high performance and accelerated computing, AI/ML implementation at the edge, and spacecraft security.These prototypes and resulting lessons learned are crucial for advancing the capability of the next generation of satellites, thus ensuring the United States' continued dominance in space. Members of this team provide design and implementation support to a wide range of customers including the Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC), the Space Development Agency (SDA), the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), and other civil customers (e.g. NASA).
Work Model
This is a full-time position based in Chantilly, VA, offering a hybrid work model that combines a minimum of three regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business needs allow.
What You'll Be Doing
You will leverage you engineering curiosity and your embedded systems domain knowledge to perform research, prototyping, and hands-on development to enable technology gains for the country's defense and intelligence communities.
- Design embedded hardware and software solutions for the evaluation of novel space-based processors, emerging security technologies and vulnerabilities, and data exploitation via artificial intelligence
- Rapidly design and test embedded compute prototypes utilizing FPGAs, SoCs, Application Specific accelerators, MCUs, and other emerging processors
- Deliver embedded HW/SW solutions in the areas of AI at the edge, spacecraft security, and/or small satellites
- Work in partnership with Aerospace Corporation scientists to evaluate and test the radiation susceptibility of embedded processors and determine appropriate mitigations
- Work alongside and learn from subject matter experts
What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements for the Engineering Specialist - Computer Engineering
- Advanced degree from an accredited program in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field
- Zero (0) to one (1) year of related academic and/or direct industry experience in the design of embedded systems, including both hardware and software
- A strong desire to expand your embedded systems knowledge base through challenging and important work
- Coursework and/or hands on experience in some of the following technical disciplines: embedded systems, PCB development, FPGA design, software development, or embedded security.
- Exposure to and some experience with some of the most prevalent hardware platforms and their corresponding tool suites including AMD/Xilinx, Altera, Microchip, ST Microelectronics, etc..
- Understanding of and previous experience implementing typical embedded interfaces: I2C, SPI, GPIO, UART, etc.
- Willing to travel domestically up to 10%.
- This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
- Transcripts Required.
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
- Proven Hardware design experience from schematic generation through PCB layout
- Experience implementing artificial intelligence/machine learning algorithms onto edge based compute platforms
- Exposure to and understanding of key embedded security tenants such as Root of Trust, Secure Boot, encryption and key management, and common attack vectors
- Experience using agile methodologies and tools like git, Jira, and Confluence
- Active Top-Secret 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
- A 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.
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.
