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.
The Aerospace Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL) is a diverse scientific organization that provides a broad and innovative research and development backplane for a growing space enterprise. PSL’s impact is grown through a diverse research portfolio that blends foundational scientific research with cutting-edge technology development to serve a broad customer base. PSL’s exclusive ability to work with all stakeholders: (government, industry, and academia) enables us to provide novel solutions to the most challenging issues in current and future technology applications. The strength of PSL comes from the combination of cutting-edge tools and facilities, a vast repository of space-system knowledge, and the extensive technical expertise of our people. We harness these tools and expertise in over 150 different laboratories to tackle the new challenges for the space enterprise.
The Space Scientist (Senior Member of Technical Staff – Physics) position within PSL’s Space Sciences Department focuses on the ionosphere, thermosphere, and overall space environment. The role also includes reporting on scientific and application results through direct interactions with customers and corporate leadership, participation in scientific conferences, and through peer-reviewed publications.
This position will be a hybrid work model with a majority of onsite work required in El Segundo, CA or Chantilly, VA.
What You’ll Be Doing
The space environment can have a myriad of impacts on both space and ground-based systems of critical importance across many sectors – apply your scientific expertise to solve hard problems in this space science and applications domain:
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Support a wide variety of critical space programs through the application of the results of space science research and the resulting knowledge base and support and grow interactions with a diverse set of customers
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Engage with space system communities to document and understand the role of space environment impacts in operations, participate in anomaly investigations and performance studies, and use established system assessment methods to advise on material solutions
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Lead and participate in proposals to customer organizations for research funding and collaborate within the Corporation and with external organizations to develop and field innovative techniques for measuring, monitoring, and forecasting space environment impacts on space systems
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Conduct scientific research on ionospheric and thermospheric processes through data analysis and modeling to further our understanding of the environmental role on space system operations and disseminate results through customer briefings and reports, conferences and workshops, and peer-reviewed publications
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Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed
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Utilizing communication and presentation skills with the ability to articulate complex technical issues
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Utilizing Strong written and oral communication skills
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Working in a team environment
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Utilizing organizational, time management and project management skills
What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements:
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PhD degree from an accredited college/university program in space science, physics, space physics, geophysics, engineering, or closely related field (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)
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0-1 year of industry work experience
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Experience using scientific methods and data analysis
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Knowledge of ionospheric and thermospheric processes and modeling
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Experience in conducting research using experimental techniques and data exploitation is required
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Willingness to occasionally travel domestically and/or internationally to support customer needs, approximately 10% (as required)
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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
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Current transcript
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
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Established record of peer-reviewed publications and presentations at technical conferences and workshops or related publications
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Experience with designing, building, testing, and fielding space science instrumentation
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Experience with exploitation of various datasets of space physics measurements that include data management and analysis for fundamental research and application is desirable
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Experience in building multi-organization collaborations and working with contractors and/or program offices is preferred
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Current TS/SSBI (SCI) security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance is highly desirable
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)
$103,000 – $150,400
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:
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Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
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Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
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Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
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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
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Flexible spending accounts
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Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
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Relocation assistance
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Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
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Education assistance programs
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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 at ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.
