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 National Systems Group serves as the technical advisor to the Intelligence Community and its mission partners involved in the collection and distribution of national and tactical intelligence, including electronics programs, advanced technologies, ground and communications, imagery programs, and systems engineering and launch.
Within NSG, the Electronic Programs Division (EPD) serves as SIGINT domain experts to define, deliver, and analyze performance for SIGINT systems. As a Modeling & Simulation Engineer (Project Engineer/Sr. Project Engineer-
Systems Engineering and Modeling & Simulation Engineering) you will perform modeling and simulation of a new architecture to include mission performance assessments that inform both implementation and augmentation trade studies. Your analyses will inform requirements authoring, help to mature CONOPs, and assess likelihood of mission satisfaction. You will work with the Program Office and multiple Engineering Matrix Teams to lead and scope M&S activities. Additionally, you will work with other customer Directorates to inform and validate various aspects of our models, and to incorporate multiple architectural elements into our simulations.
Work Model
This is a full-time position based in Chantilly, VA, which requires 100% onsite work.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Serve as a modeling and simulation engineer in the program office assisting with performance assessments and architecting of the next generation SIGINT architecture
- Create models for (Project Engineer) and derive the expected performance of (Sr. Project Engineer) payloads and architecture elements, to include space, ground and processing
- Contribute to (Project Engineer) and/or Lead (Sr. Project Engineer) performance assessments associated with architectural implementation trades
- Identify opportunities for (Project Engineer) and/or Lead (Sr. Project Engineer) Aerospace matrix engineering organization to support the development of performance models for use in mission analyses
- Engage with (Project Engineer) and/or serve as an Aerospace interface to (Sr. Project Engineer) various Government Customers, while working collaboratively with a wide variety of other support contractors (e.g.- SETA) and development contractors
- Present technical results and recommendations to (Project Engineer) and/or independently generate technical findings and recommendations for (Sr. Project Engineer) Government Customers and the Aerospace team
- Apply engineering knowledge of satellite systems (antennas, receivers, etc) sufficiently to implement (Project Engineer) and/or derive (Sr. Project Engineer) performance models that inform mission assessments
What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements for the Project Engineer-Systems Engineering and Modeling & Simulation Engineering
- Knowledge of modeling and simulation software tools and environments that can be used to assess performance satellite systems (STK, SOAP, Matlab, Python, etc)
- 8 years of progressively more detailed modeling and simulation experience
- Bachelors degree in related technical field
- This position requires a current and active TS/SSBI/SCI security clearance and polygraph, which is issued by the US Government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. .
In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Sr. Project Engineer-Systems Engineering and Modeling & Simulation Engineering:
- 12 years of progressively more detailed modeling and simulation experience
- Performance modeling experience for at least one space subsystem (antennas, receivers, mission payloads)
- Experience working with matrixed engineering organizations
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
- Advanced degree in related technical area
- 2 Years of relevant experience working in one of the Customer’s SPOs
- Technical knowledge of SIGINT satellite systems
- Familiarity with the next generation SIGINT architecture
- M&S experience in one of these areas: Geolocation, RF link budgets, Antenna modeling, Signal detection
- Relevant mission knowledge
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 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.
