Senior Laser Communications 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 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!

We are seeking to hire a laser communications systems engineer (Senior Engineering Specialist) to join the Optical Communications Department. The Optical Communications Department provides technical leadership to US Government activities that involve laser communications (lasercom). We support programs and activities from initial concept and requirements development through technology maturation, risk reduction, engineering, manufacturing, production, deployment and sustainment phases. The Optical Communications Department works with corporate customers to ensure robust and resilient optical SATCOM solutions are available and best-suited to augmenting space-enabled missions.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time position based at either our El Segundo, CA or Chantilly, VA campuses.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide expertise in support of development, operation, maintenance and evolution of space lasercom systems which includes work supporting or leading:
• Lasercom link budget development and maintenance
• Dynamic link modeling & simulation including atmospheric propagation and temporal/spatial beam jitter
• Performing detailed system hardware architecture trade balancing insertion of advanced technology with appropriate risk and providing insight to senior decision makers
• Concepts of operations & constellation orbital flight concept development
• Support lasercom modeling and simulation department tool development, documentation, and implementation using Python and MATLAB
• Work with Senior Engineers to support all phases of Ground and Space lasercom development lifecycle which may include requirement definition; assembly, integration & test; anomaly resolution; modeling & simulation; unit, subsystem, and system test; and spacecraft launch and on-orbit support
  

Minimum Requirements

What You Need to be Successful – Senior Engineering Specialist

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university program in electrical engineering, physics or closely related discipline
• 12 or more years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including multi-disciplinary systems engineering and/or program management environments
• Experience with laser transmitters, optical detectors and related technologies
• Familiarity with communications link and pointing error budgets
• Demonstrated knowledge of laser atmospheric propagation theory, analysis, and adaptive optics hardware implementation
• Modeling and coding experience in one or more environments (e.g. MATLAB, Python, C , etc.)
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically up to approximately 10% of the time
• Current Secret or Top Secret clearance with SSBI or periodic reinvestigation completed within the last 5 years that resulted in clearance granted or maintained
  
  

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Advanced degree from an accredited program in electrical engineering, physics or closely related discipline
• Broad modeling and coding experience in multiple environments (e.g. MATLAB, Python, VPIPhotonics, etc.)
• Demonstrated expertise in laser communication
• Active TS/SCI/Q Clearance
  
  

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)

$166,400.00 - $249,600.00

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.