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.
The Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace's strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a diverse and dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities.
The Space Enterprise Design and Optimization Department (SEDOD) is in EED's Enterprise Design Subdivision (EDS). We bring to bear expertise in a wide variety of fields to tackle tough problems and explore novel ideas, directly impacting the future of the space enterprise. We primarily focus on the performance modeling, analysis, and optimization of orbits, mission architectures, and acquisition portfolios. We are searching for someone to join a team of engineers, mathematicians, and scientists and grow our department of highly skilled technical specialists. Join us today and become a part of a culture that promotes innovation, growth, and technical excellence!
As part of SEDOD and EDS, a technical leader on our staff will design and execute studies or development efforts for a portfolio of high-impact projects across the department and division. They will lead teams of analysts in support of these goals, providing guidance, structure, and advice as needed while also cultivating technical and leadership skills in the team. Additionally, they will leverage and grow their own domain knowledge by performing space and ground design, optimization, and analysis in support of architecture concept trade studies, requirements verification, analyses-of-alternatives, and performance modeling. They will also coordinate integration of agent-based simulations to proactively assist with trade space exploration efforts.
Work Model:
This position is 100% onsite at one of the following Aerospace Corporation locations: Chantilly, VA; El Segundo, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; or Huntsville, AL. This position also offers a Hybrid work model with up to one day per week of remote work as business needs allow.
What You'll Be Doing
- Leading teams of skilled analysts to conduct technical deep dives, trade studies, and assessments to satisfy project objectives and tasks
- Independently and collaboratively providing subject matter expertise to program offices and government customers in the areas of space architecture design and optimization, trade space exploration, and portfolio analysis
- Coordinating and organizing analysis efforts using modeling and simulation capabilities through a combination of agent-based simulation and multi-objective optimization
- Planning and executing studies, providing technical insights to customers, and supporting recommendations for customer research, development, and acquisition decisions
- Helping to sustain, develop, grow, and deploy simulation and analysis capabilities to support new functional areas for a diverse and expanding customer base
- Supporting workforce development by assisting management with long-range planning, business development, resource acquisition, recruiting, training, and mentorship
What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements:
- B.S. degree in aerospace, astronautical, or mechanical engineering, physics, operations research, mathematics, or a related field of science or engineering
- 6 or more years of relevant and progressive professional or academic experience
- Significant history of consistent contribution to multiple substantial technical analytical or development projects through their successful fruition
- History of leading teams delivering substantial technical analyses or development efforts in support of customer-driven projects
- Background in one or more of the following: optimization techniques, orbital mechanics, satellite constellation performance modeling, or satellite orbit access analysis
- Knowledge of Python, C, C++, Matlab, or another programming language
- Willing to support occasional travel domestically
- This position requires the 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.
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
- A graduate degree in aerospace, astronautical, or mechanical engineering, physics, operations research, mathematics, or a related field of science or engineering
- Experience with Advanced Framework for Simulation, Integration, and Modeling (AFSIM) or other agent-based simulations
- Work history in one of these specific national security space or intelligence mission areas: geo-spatial intelligence, signals intelligence, space surveillance, space protection, ground systems, or communications infrastructure supporting defense or intelligence capabilities.
- Thorough knowledge of Intelligence Community or U.S. Department of Defense business practices, acquisition policies, or space mission portfolios
- Extensive experience producing analyses and communicating results to various sized audiences
- Prior experience as the lead for matrixed teams with diverse skill sets to solve multi-disciplinary challenges
- Current and active Top-Secret Clearance (TS) with SCI access
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)
$120,800 - $181,100
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.
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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The Aerospace Corporation Teams
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Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
