Space Enterprise Optimization Analyst

About the role

The Aerospace Corporation operates a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) broadly engaged across all aspects of space—delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. The Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise, leveraging a broad array of engineering disciplines against a wide-ranging and dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. The Space Enterprise Design and Optimization Department (SEDOD) is in EED’s Enterprise Design Subdivision (EDS). SEDOD focuses on performance modeling, analysis, and optimization of orbits, mission architectures, and acquisition portfolios to inform the future of the national space enterprise.

A member of our technical staff will employ and develop sophisticated simulation tools to perform space and ground design, optimization, and analysis in support of architecture concept trade studies, requirements verification, analyses-of-alternatives, and performance modeling. They will leverage optimization techniques and astrodynamics expertise to provide responsive analyses integrating space vehicle design with constellation optimization. They will act as a technical expert for a portfolio of high-impact projects and collaborate with other analysts to expand domain knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Independently and collaboratively conduct deep dives, trade studies, and assessments to define and address customer needs in space architecture design and optimization, trade space exploration, and space vehicle design
• Leverage in-house and commercial- and government-off-the-shelf engineering analysis tools to deliver technical insights through analytical deep dives, trade studies, and assessments
• Contribute to the development of analysis software tools and pursue opportunities to enhance and improve existing simulation and analysis capabilities for a wide range of customers
• Develop and present timely and technically accurate presentations and reports that clearly communicate analysis results and provide recommended solutions to technical leads, management, and customers
• Build and maintain a strong base of customers and collaborators for the department through effective working relationships with cross-organization partners, government customers, and contractor teammates

Requirements

• B.S. degree in aerospace, astronautical, or mechanical engineering, physics, operations research, mathematics, or a related field of science or engineering
• Advanced degree or 2 or more years of relevant and progressive professional or academic experience
• Experience with constellation design, orbital mechanics, or mathematics related to satellite access geometry
• Knowledge of Python, C, C++, MATLAB, or another programming language
• Ability to support multiple programs and/or activities, acting as a technical contributor across both individual and broader team efforts
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance with CI polygraph; U.S. citizenship is required

Senior Member of the Technical Staff – Additional Requirements

• 4 or more years of relevant and progressive professional experience and/or a Ph.D. in a field of study mentioned above
• Significant experience making effective contributions to a wide range of technical analysis or development projects
• Ability to support multiple programs and/or activities, acting as a technical advisor to help define and address customer needs
• Ability to lead and mentor small teams in conducting routine analysis and development tasks as part of larger project efforts

How You Can Stand Out

• Advanced degree or extensive work experience in a field of study mentioned above
• Work history in national security space or intelligence mission areas such as geo-spatial intelligence, signals intelligence, missile warning/tracking/defense, space surveillance, space protection, ground systems, or communications infrastructure
• Background in optimization techniques, genetic algorithms, space mission design, satellite constellation performance modeling, satellite orbit access analysis, simulation development, or payload/bus design
• Experience working independently on creating, executing, and debugging modeling and simulation tools
• Current TS/SCI access with a current CI polygraph

Work Model

Full-time position based in El Segundo, CA or Chantilly, VA. In-person work model combining 4 or more regular onsite workdays per week with remote flexibility as business needs allow.