Space Domain Awareness Technical Fellow

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.

Shape the Future of Space Security

As orbital populations grow exponentially, the global space community needs visionary technical leaders to ensure all operators can see, understand, and act with situational awareness and decision advantage.

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation's space programs, operating a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC). We deliver innovative solutions spanning satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil, and commercial customers. Join a team of problem solvers and innovators defining the future of space operations.

The Opportunity

The Mission Operations Subdivision within the Enterprise Effects Division is creating a Technical Fellow position for Space Domain Awareness (SDA), a rare opportunity to drive national strategy and technical innovation. You'll work directly with defense, civil, and commercial operators, and the intelligence community (IC) to architect sensor networks, data fusion systems, and space traffic management capabilities for an increasingly congested, contested, and competitive domain.

Why This Role Matters

From Low Earth Orbit To Cislunar Space, Operators Face Challenges From Conjunction Avoidance And Debris Mitigation To On-orbit Servicing And Potential Threats. This Technical Fellow Will

• Drive next-generation SDA system architectures spanning ground and space-based sensors (radar, optical, infrared, passive RF)
• Pioneer AI/ML integration for automated tracking, anomaly detection, pattern-of-life analysis, and support to space battle management
• Shape corporate investment in emerging SDA technologies with Aerospace's Office of the Chief Technology Officer
• Expand mission reach into cislunar and beyond GEO domain awareness
• Mentor the next generation of SDA experts across sensors, data fusion, orbital mechanics, and object characterization
• Bridge defense, intelligence, civil, commercial, and international communities to accelerate the delivery of solutions
  
  

Your Impact

• Partner with senior government, military, civil, allied, and commercial leaders on critical SDA challenges
• Lead integrated architectures fusing multi-source data into actionable decision support
• Advance space traffic management, collision avoidance, anomaly assessment, and space sustainability capabilities
• Position Aerospace as the technical leader in SDA
• Develop technical talent across national security, civil, allied, and commercial programs
  
  

Work Model

Full-time position based in El Segundo, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; or Chantilly, VA. This role includes four or more days per week on site to enable deep customer engagement and team collaboration.

What You'll Be Doing

Strategic Leadership

• Partner with customers and operators to develop innovative SDA architectures addressing emerging challenges
• Engage commercial SDA providers and civil agencies to align technical approaches and data standards
• Position Aerospace as the premier SDA technical authority, pioneering cislunar and deep space awareness
• Advise executives on technical investments and R&D priorities across defense, civil, and commercial applications
  
  

Technical Innovation

• Serve as technical authority on SDA systems, leading sensor architectures, data fusion systems, and command and control capabilities
• Drive AI/ML applications transforming SDA operations from automated tracking to predictive orbit determination
• Integrate SDA with space operations, intelligence, sustainability, and cyber
• Advance frameworks for data sharing and collaboration across government, commercial, and international networks
  
  

Team Development

• Mentor staff in sensor phenomenology, data fusion, orbital mechanics, and object characterization
• Advise on succession planning and workforce development for expanding SDA missions
• Build multi-disciplinary teams spanning sensors, data processing, astrodynamics, and analytics
  
  

What You Need To Be Successful (Minimum Requirements)

• Bachelor's degree in STEM, Engineering, Physics, or related field
• 15 years in SDA, space surveillance, traffic management, or space system architectures
• Experience leading SDA sensor systems, data fusion architectures, and tracking solutions
• Hands-on experience with government or commercial SDA systems (Space Surveillance Network sensors, IC systems, or commercial platforms)
• Track record leading R&D in sensors, algorithms, conjunction assessment, or traffic management
• Ability to build and lead multi-disciplinary technical teams
• Exceptional communication skills engaging senior officials, commercial partners, and research communities
• Mentoring and leadership experience
• Ability to obtain Top Secret/SCI clearance; U.S. citizenship required
  
  

How You Can Stand Out

Academic Excellence

• MS/PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related field
  
  

Technical Depth

• Expertise in orbital mechanics, sensor phenomenology, tracking algorithms, and data fusion
• AI/ML knowledge for tracking, pattern analysis, anomaly detection, and orbit determination
• Space-based sensor design and modeling and simulation performance experience
• Cislunar and deep space domain awareness experience
• Familiarity with conjunction assessment, collision avoidance, debris mitigation, and space battle management
• Understanding of cyber threats and SDA system resilience
• Knowledge of commercial SDA capabilities and business models
  
  

Mission Experience

• Delivering actionable insights on critical defense, civil, or commercial programs
• Prototyping and transitioning SDA solutions from concept to operations
• Compartmented DoD/IC missions (current Top Secret/SCI clearance; current Special Access Program clearances) or commercial SDA operations
• NASA civil space missions, planetary defense, or traffic coordination
  
  

Strategic Vision

• Bridging commercial, defense, and civil sectors, aligning stakeholder needs with innovation
• Establishing partnerships across DoD, IC, NASA, commercial operators, and international communities
• Knowledge of international partnerships, data sharing frameworks, and commercial data integration
• Understanding of space policy, regulatory frameworks, and international norms
  
  

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)

$203,800.00 - $305,600.00

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.