OPIR Payload Mod & Sim Engineer
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.
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JOB SUMMARY
The Systems Engineering Division (SED) provides unmatched experience in systems engineering to the U.S. government and to numerous public and private agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, consortia, and commercial companies involved in the advanced application of space technology. From systems architecture development to system analysis and optimization, astrodynamics, orbital debris, navigation, failure analysis, mission assurance, cost and schedule assessment, and economic market analysis, SED exploits an incredibly broad array of engineering and business disciplines against a diverse and dynamic portfolio of programs and national challenges.
The Systems Performance, Estimation and Algorithms Department (SPEAD) performs algorithm development and evaluation as well as concept development, threat analysis, systems engineering and architecture analysis support for national security space customers. The selected candidate will provide analytical support, modeling and simulation support to customers including Space Systems Command (SSC), the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), and the Space Development Agency (SDA). Primary responsibilities include providing Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) payload modeling and system, space surveillance, resilience, algorithm development, processing architecture and functional requirements, and simulation engineering expertise in support of the Next Generation OPIR and other programs.
What You'll Be Doing
- Apply disciplined systems engineering methods, processes, and tools in a broad range of complexity, to develop OPIR payload, system and processing model & simulation capability for full range of photons to mission performance evaluation over scenarios and orbits
- Develop mathematical algorithm models for focal plane array (FPA) functionality, configuration control, noise phenomena (such as) blinker noise suppression, and transient event detection
- Develop requirements for multi-color rapid calibration sources and algorithms for resilience support, payload recovery and health and status checking
- Develop OPIR payload main and auxiliary mission performance algorithms for on-board processing, and data rate control through background management, characterization, thresholding, data dependent compression/aggregation, buffering and look back, using conventional, neural network and applicable Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques
- Develop OPIR Payload performance algorithm mathematical models for tactical parameters, target count, closely spaced object (CSO) identification, dim target detection, noise-equivalent target (NET), radiometric accuracy, Probability of Single Event Detection (PSEDT), Probability of Representative Return Generation, outage under contested environment and Line of Sight (LOS) and radiometric accuracy.
- Develop target tracking, trajectory estimation, event and maneuver detection, discrimination, track maintenance over heavy clutter backgrounds and threat driven interruptions, for OPIR, Missile Defense, Tech/Intel and other missions
- Participate in architectural and OPIR payload conceptual design trade studies, technology insertion, requirements definition to support architecture evolution of a multi-layer Missile Warning System including Missile Defense
- Support algorithm and sensor mode selection and reconfiguration for resilience and autonomous ops, containment of countermeasures, graceful degradation, recovery, sparing and re-constitution, processor and overall sensor functionality assessment
- Support OPIR Payload requirements development to include architecture and systems trades, resiliency requirements decomposition into OPIR Payload Technical Requirements Documents (TRD)
- Work with Aerospace Program office, Aerospace Engineering Technology Group (ETG), customer, and contractor personnel to identify needs, requirements and constraints.
What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited program in a science or engineering discipline to include (applied/engineering/astro) physics, (applied) mathematics, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or systems engineering
- Significant experience, typically twelve or more years, in the development, modeling, simulation and analysis of OPIR payloads
- Significant experience, typically twelve or more years, in the development, analysis and evaluation of OPIR mission processing algorithms, to include target detection, clutter suppression, CSO resolution, tactical parameter estimation (TPE), and/or multi-target tracking
- Demonstrated track record of outstanding technical leadership
- Superior written and verbal communication skills
- This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance, which is issued by the US 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:
- Advanced degree from an accredited program in a science or engineering discipline to include (applied/engineering/astro) physics, (applied) mathematics, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or systems engineering
- Additional experience, typically fifteen years or more, in the development, modeling, simulation and analysis of OPIR payloads
- Additional experience, typically fifteen years or more, in the development, analysis and evaluation of OPIR mission processing algorithms, to include target detection, clutter suppression, CSO resolution, tactical parameter estimation (TPE), and/or multi-target tracking
- Significant experience supporting SPEAD customers such to include SSC, MDA, and/or SDA
- A current and active TS/SCI clearance
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 [email protected]. You can also review The Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law andthe supplement, as well as thePay Transparency Policy Statement.