Senior Satellite Control Systems Analyst

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.

The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments.

The Control Analysis Department (CAD) performs satellite attitude and payload pointing control system analysis support for a wide variety of space programs ranging from pathfinding CubeSats with prototype payloads and weighing a few kilograms total, all the way to the more exquisite GPS constellation upon which countless users rely every day.  In today’s rapidly evolving space environment, our department leverages both heritage and state-of-the-art knowledge, tools, and techniques in the areas of space vehicle attitude control, dynamics, and estimation and payload pointing, while also researching and applying methods from emerging and related topics such as artificial intelligence and robotics, to solve new and increasingly challenging problems.

We are looking for an Senior Satellite Control Systems Analyst (Engineering Specialist/Senior Engineering Specialist - Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineering) in CAD to provide senior technical leadership and strategic expertise in dynamics, estimation, and control across a diverse portfolio of satellite programs. You will work at the intersection of traditional aerospace and emerging technologies to guide programs from initial concepts through operations, solve novel technical challenges, and represent the group on strategic corporate initiatives.

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA., requiring at least 4 days onsite.

What You'll Be Doing

• Providing technical and strategic expertise and guidance and mentoring in the core areas of controls, dynamics, and estimation

• Developing solutions to novel technical problems in controls-related areas

• Exercising technical authority and team leadership in multi-disciplinary areas including, but not limited to concept development, trade studies, risk assessments, design analyses, simulation development, test planning, data analysis, operations support, and anomaly resolution

• Applying technical expertise and analysis to provide advice to customers, management, and contractors

• Collaborating across the corporation on strategic multi-disciplinary teams

• Developing and fostering partnerships across academia, industry, and government

• Identifying opportunities for additional, expanded, and new technical tasking for members of the department and subdivision. Assisting management in the pursuit of new opportunities

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Engineering Specialist:

• Graduate degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related STEM field, with a focus on controls, dynamics, estimation, or a related specialty

• 6 or more years of progressively responsible experience in guidance, navigation, and control systems

• Expertise in one or more core technical areas: Spacecraft control systems design and analysis, Estimation theory, Advanced dynamics and multibody systems

• Strong analysis skills with experience in rendezvous and proximity operations, including relative navigation using Kalman filtering or other advanced estimation techniques

• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or related technical computing languages

• Flexibility to travel domestically up to 15%

• Active TS/SCI security clearance and willingness to be submitted for higher clearances. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

In addition to the requirements above, the Senior Engineering Specialist minimum requirements are:

• 10 or more years of relevant satellite controls engineering experience including increasing leadership and technical responsibility

• Comprehensive understanding of satellite attitude control subsystems, interdependencies with other subsystems, and mission-level performance impacts

• Proven project leadership experience with demonstrated ability to drive and influence technical programs

• Demonstrated ability to influence technical direction, align diverse teams to a common vision, and build consensus across organizational boundaries

• Track record of successfully training, mentoring, and developing less experienced technical staff

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Active SAP security clearance

• PhD in a controls-related area

• End-to-end program experience supporting spacecraft programs from initial concept design through launch, operations, and mission completion

• Experience identifying and shaping new business or project opportunities

• Deep technical proficiency and recognized expertise in multiple specialized areas:

  • Spacecraft attitude determination and control

  • Control and estimation applied to rendezvous and proximity operations

  • Payload pointing estimation, control, and calibration

  • Advanced control techniques: adaptive, robust, optimal, nonlinear control

  • Estimation methods: unscented Kalman filters (UKFs), particle filters

  • Multibody and flexible body dynamics analysis

  • Jitter analysis and line-of-sight performance prediction

  • Mobile robotics, autonomous guidance algorithms, and path planning

  • Computer vision, image processing, and point-cloud analysis for navigation

  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in controls

  • Neural networks, deep learning, and optimization for autonomous systems

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)

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.