Infrared Sounding Subject Matter Expert

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.

Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within NASA, NOAA, and the NNSA, while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors.

The Operational Missions (OM) team, part of CSG’s NASA Programs Division (NPD), provides program management and systems engineering support to both NASA-centric and joint agency programs at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). This support spans all program phases, from concept through design, development, deployment, and operations, all program sizes, from small exploratory projects through large flagship programs, and both flight and ground systems.

OM is looking for an Infrared Sounding Subject Matter Expert (MTS Level 3 Casual- Electro - Optical Engineering) to solve our customers’ hard problems in infrared sounding.

This position is a casual part-time position and will be located on-site at Langley AFB, VA

THIS IS A PART TIME/ CASUAL POSITION

What You’ll Be Doing

• Collaborate with NASA and NOAA infrared sounding missions in operations and under development to ascertain their highest risks and hardest problems; team with Aerospace, Contractor, and Government contributors to mitigate these risks and solve these problems
• Serve as a principal technical representative on infrared sounding to assigned missions, and facilitate communications with the broader customer payload community
• Participate in scientific and technical forums on infrared sounding
• Provide scientific and technical support to milestone reviews such as subsystem and system level Preliminary Design Reviews (PDRs) and Critical Design Reviews (CDRs) for infrared sounders
• Advise project and program scientists and perform independent analyses to assess scientific and technical requirement compliance
• Advise the projects on scientific and technical risks affecting the development and performance of the infrared sounders
• Prepare written materials to communicate relevant findings

What You Need to be Successful- MTS Level 3 Casual- Electro - Optical Engineering

Minimum Requirements for:

• Master’s degree in relevant engineering, mathematics, science, or related technical discipline
• 15+ years of experience in remote sensing and atmospheric science, particularly with infrared systems
• Expertise in hyperspectral infrared sounder development for atmospheric applications
• Experience leading satellite instrument programs from design through operations
• Demonstrated ability with anomaly resolution during instrument build, test, and on-orbit operations
• Worked extensively with space-based instrument calibration and validation methodologies
• Willing to travel occasionally to domestic customer or vendor sites, <10%
• This position may require the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. 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:

• PhD degree in relevant engineering, mathematics, science, or related technical discipline
• Familiarity with NASA/NOAA satellite programs (e.g., JPSS, GeoXO, or similar weather satellite systems)
• Experience working with Science Teams on algorithm development and data analysis
• Knowledge of atmospheric sounding requirements and science data product development

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 [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.