Senior Missile Warning Tracking and Defense Calibration Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nations 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 youll 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 countrys 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 Visible and Infrared Sensor Systems Department (VISSD) resides within MPD and our staff supports the design and development of electrooptical (EO) sensor payloads and prototypes. Our expertise includes the following: concept definition and mission driven design synthesis of electrooptical space sensors detailed characterization and performance analysis of visible and infrared (IR) image sensors as well as the design assembly integration and test (AI&T) of ground and airborne prototype sensors. This expertise combined with additional inhouse (MPD) laboratories prototyping performance modeling and simulation capabilities enables VISSD to deliver innovative solutions to our civil commercial and national space systems customers.

Calibrated data products underpin the Missile Warning Tracking and Defense (MWTD) and Battlespace Awareness and Technical Intelligence (BA/TI) mission areas. Calibrated data products and the subject matter expertise to guide their generation are a core competency of The Aerospace Corporation and have proven their value over several decades of support to OPIR programs. A robust calibration capability guides the sensor design and development to successful attainment of key mission performance attributes such as minimum detectable target intensity and absolute target intensity accuracy for missile typing and intelligence tasks. On orbit a calibration program trends sensor performance over time and diagnoses onorbit anomalies such as contamination from ice or volatiles FPA degradation in the space environment and mirror and optical degradation. In mission operational support calibrated data products enable data fusion among a variety of OPIR systems because a common calibration basis in physical units enables combining measurements over diverse collection conditions.The Aerospace Corporation is the recognized community leader for stellar calibration campaigns which provide the most reliable source for spacebased radiometric calibration. The Aerospace Corporation is dedicated to supporting the future MWTD capabilities in line with the current government spacebased remote sensing acquisitions.

Work Model: This position can be based in Boulder Colorado or El Segundo California and requires a minimum of three days per week in office.

What Youll Be Doing

• Trending radiometric and goniometric calibrations for the various sensors over time
• Comparing performance attributes for sensors that are part of different constellations/ at different orbital altitudes
• Assessing stray light and offaxis response performance of the sensors and comparing to prelaunch models
• Evaluating noise performance under different mission conditions (deep space/ATH BTH low/benign clutter BTH high background/clutter conditions) and comparing the results to predictions for same
• Seeking approaches to streamline calibration processes on the ground and a pipelines for data handling
• Advising on the quality of proposals by assessing sensor designs data processing approaches and mission performance through modeling simulation and data analysis
• Supporting customer acquisitions throughout the lifecycle from program definition through AI&T and onorbit operations

What You Need to be Successful Engineering Specialist or Senior Engineering Specialist

Minimum Requirements:

• Experience with FPA testing and data interpretation and/or optical design and performance
• Understanding of thermal vacuum testing procedures and equipment for IR sensor prelaunch testing
• Familiarity with contamination control plans and methods for testing for same
• Bachelors degree in astronomy optical design imaging science or remote sensingrelated disciplines
• 8 or more years of industry related electrooptical engineering experience

In addition to the above the minimum requirements for Senior Engineering Specialist:

• All of the above minimum requirements for ElectroOptical Engineer Engineering Specialist
• Current working relationships within the space EO/IR sensor system community
• Past involvement with leadership activities such as project planning resource management and developing customer relationships
• 12 or more years of industry related electrooptical engineering experience

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced (Masters or Ph.D. degree from an accredited program in physics electrical engineering optics mechanical engineering or another related field
• An active SCI/Top Secret security clearance which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
• Demonstrated history of supporting EO/IR programs through an entire lifecycle from initial development studies through onorbit operations

We offer a competitive compensation package where youll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The gradebased 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)

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 industryleading 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 companypaid 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 otherthe 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 equalopportunity 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 colorreligiongeneticinformation 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 youre 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 emailat .You can also reviewKnow Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegalas well as thePay Transparency Policy Statement.