Senior Remote Sensing 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!

The Integrated Sensor Design and Analysis Department (ISDAD), within the Sensing and Processing Subdivision (SPS) in MPD, is seeking a Senior Remote Sensing Engineer to join our team of scientists and engineers engaged in developing the nation’s next generation of remote sensing systems for Department of Defense and national security customers. The ISDAD team supports all aspects of advanced OPIR remote sensing system development: designing and assessing the performance of optics and electro-optical sensor systems, modeling the end-to-end sensing system, developing innovative data processing and computer vision algorithms, and producing simulated data products for new applications. Our work directly influences Government architecture and acquisition decisions as well as the design, development, and fielding of world class sensing capabilities that are crucial for national defense.

As a Senior Remote Sensing Engineer joining ISDAD, you will provide expertise and skills in the modeling and simulation of remote electro-optical/infrared sensors, and constellations of such sensors, with a specific focus on developing and analyzing systems for missile warning and tracking applications.

The selected candidate will be required to work full time on-site at our facility at El Segunso

What You’ll Be Doing

• Interface directly with customers to define signal processing and detection performance analysis needs for Missile Warning and Tracking sensors, constellations and architectures
• Provide expert technical consultation and advice to government and contractors in the areas of signal processing, tracking, algorithm development, and system performance
• Lead development and refinement of sensing, scene and environmental models to assess OPIR sensors, system and constellation-level performance. Participate in long range planning for ISDAD’s modeling and simulation capabilities
• Coordinate tasking and deliverables for a team of technical contributors as the senior technical authority, facilitating achievement of customer schedule and objectives
• Mentor junior staff, providing technical guidance and developing their insight for remote sensing systems and analysis

What You Need to be Successful – Senior Project Engineer

Minimum Requirements:

• Advanced degree from an accredited university in Optics, Physics, Astronomy, Imagining Science, or another related discipline
• Twelve or more years of experience performing electro-optical sensor, system, and/or phenomenology modeling and simulation, either in the workforce and/or in the pursuit of an advanced degree
• Strong analytic problem-solving skills relating to the performance of passive remote sensing electro-optical visible and infrared sensors, especially OPIR systems, and including topics such as radiometry, radiative transfer modeling, image chain analysis, target detection, sensor performance metrics and system architecture
• Demonstrated initiative in developing innovative and creative solutions
• Demonstrated experience using a common processing language (e.g. MATLAB, Python, IDL, C/C++, Fortran) to implement modeling and simulation analysis
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with internal teams, Government customers, and contractor personnel
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Experience supporting the Department of Defense Customers
• Experience supporting OPIR systems
• Leadership of cross-organizational teams

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) $176,400.00 - $264,600.00

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.