The Aerospace Corporation
SAR Moving Target Indication (MTI) Specialist
Be an Early Applicant
In an era of dynamic change, Aerospace is addressing the most complex challenges in space.
The 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 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) find-fix-target-track applications, maritime surveillance, radio frequency interference mitigation, advanced signal processing, and algorithm development for advanced SAR image products.
We are looking for SAR MTI Engineers, to grow our department of highly skilled technical specialists. Join us today and become a part of the Aerospace culture of continuous learning, technical excellence, and company-wide collaboration.
Work Model:This role is 100% onsite in Chantilly, VA.
What You'll Be Doing
What You Need to be Successful - Member of Technical Staff
Minimum Requirements:
In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for Senior Member of Technical Staff:
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
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:
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:
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 [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.
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 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) find-fix-target-track applications, maritime surveillance, radio frequency interference mitigation, advanced signal processing, and algorithm development for advanced SAR image products.
We are looking for SAR MTI Engineers, to grow our department of highly skilled technical specialists. Join us today and become a part of the Aerospace culture of continuous learning, technical excellence, and company-wide collaboration.
Work Model:This role is 100% onsite in Chantilly, VA.
What You'll Be Doing
- Assess and / or develop innovative sensor solutions to improve target search-and-track capabilities and support program planning, acquisition, and operations.
- Characterize high-priority target Find-Fix-Track-Target (F2T2) performance using modeling and simulation to support program risk reduction and maturation.
- Architect and model both ground truth scenarios and sensing payload output-data products to support evaluation and solicitation of future space systems and downstream applications.
- Modernize existing MTI processing code base and develop new capabilities to enable adaptability and modularization.
- Advance a portfolio of high-impact projects by 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:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited program in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Geophysics, or related technical discipline and 2+ years of relevant SAR signal/image processing experience
- Strong grasp of advanced mathematics including Fourier transforms, differential equations, and estimation theory
- Adept at using MATLAB or Python to create or augment engineering code.
- Experience with SAR MTI applications.
- Familiarity with modeling and simulation of SAR MTI tracker performance.
- This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance with Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) with Counterintelligence (CI) polygraph for Top Secret/SCI access, 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 Member of Technical Staff:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited program in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Geophysics, or related technical discipline and 4+ years of relevant SAR signal/image processing experience
- Significant experience conducting modeling and simulation of SAR MTI performance and/or evaluating SAR MTI trackers
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
- Advanced degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Geophysics, or related technical discipline
- Current and active Top Secret//SCI security clearance
- Knowledge of Kalman filters and advanced applications (e.g., Interacting Multiple Model [IMM], Multiple Hypothesis Tracker [MHT])
- Experience leading technical efforts on several small projects concurrently and coordinating technical support for portions of larger, multi-phase, multi-disciplinary projects.
- Familiarity with space system acquisition or satellite operations for the IC or DoD.
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 [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.
The Aerospace Corporation Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about The Aerospace Corporation and has not been reviewed or approved by The Aerospace Corporation.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) contributions are tiered at roughly 8–12% with immediate eligibility and vesting, and a pension is available for eligible employees. Financial planning resources and charitable matching further bolster long‑term security.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical plan variety (PPO/EPO/CDHP and HMOs in some regions) plus dental, vision, mental health, and company‑paid disability and life insurance create comprehensive coverage. Access to HSAs/FSAs and strong core health benefits are frequently highlighted as strengths.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Vacation starts at 15 days and increases with tenure, alongside nine paid holidays and generous sick time policies (unlimited for exempt, accrual for non‑exempt). Comp time for hours over 40 adds additional flexibility to time off.
The Aerospace Corporation Insights
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The Company
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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