Tracking Architecture Performance Engineer - Member of the Technical Staff

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 Enterprise Effects Division (EED) integrates Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise, applying a broad range of engineering disciplines to a portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. The division spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment and the application of space and space-enabled capabilities.

The Tracking Architecture and Performance Department (TAPD) is part of EED's Integrated Performance Subdivision (IPS). It conducts model-based analyses of tracking performance across architecture scenarios in both nominal and contested operating environments. The department supports customers through concept development, engineering analysis, algorithm development, and evaluation of tracking performance for Radar, Electro-Optical (EO), Infrared (IR), Electronic Warfare (EW), space domain awareness (SDA), and missile warning/missile tracking (MW/MT) for single-INT and multi-INT architectures.

TAPD mission focus includes missile defense, SDA, and surveillance architectures. Modeling, simulation, and analysis (MS&A) products developed by TAPD include architecture evaluations, what-if analyses, and the development, tuning, and optimization of multi-sensor tracking algorithms. TAPD work helps decision-makers understand system performance, identify gaps, assess vulnerability and resiliency, and improve architectural designs. We are seeking candidates with a strong technical background in tracking and sensor evaluations who are motivated by leadership, innovation, mentorship, and delivering excellent technical work aligned with customer mission areas to solve tough problems.

Work Model

This position will be located 100% onsite in El Segundo, CA or Colorado Springs, CO

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Perform modeling and analysis of MW/MT/MD sensors and systems and their broader system-of-systems architectures.

• Conduct a range of analysis using a framework of modeling, simulation and analysis capabilities including in-house, custom and commercially available/government provided modeling tools.

• Analyze the performance of sensors such as electro-optical (EO), radar and passive radio frequency sensor concepts, architectures, and algorithms.

• Develop and implement radar, lidar, and/or related tracking algorithms and help improve existing modeling and simulation tools.

• Develop computer tools and simulations to support analyses of interdisciplinary support teams and perform general and specific systems engineering trades assessments.

What You Need to be Successful 

Minimum Requirements for the Member of Technical Staff (MTS) include:

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field is required.

• A minimum of 1 years of applicable educational or professional experience with space systems or algorithms.
• Experience with physics-based state models and state estimation techniques.
• Experience programming in MatLab, C, C++, Java, Python or FORTRAN.

• Experience with Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint and Excel).

• This position requires 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:

• Master’s or PhD degree in related STEM discipline.

• Current, active TS/SCI or SAP clearance.

• Experience in researching, developing and applying advanced and innovative techniques for algorithm development

• Experience with tracking, detection, and state estimation.
• Experience with one of the following: Kalman Filters, orbit determination, orbital mechanics, RADARs, space IR sensors, or space optical systems
• Experience in developing and delivering presentations, leading small groups, etc.

• Experience in working in an autonomous work environment on complex projects

• Software design, development, unit testing and integration experience 

• Practice robust statistics and decision logic

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  

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.

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.