OPIR Systems Engineer

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 Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers’ portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

The OPIR Payloads Department in the Space Based Sensing Division is actively participating in the building and fielding of next generation OPIR payloads for GEO and polar orbits. The mission of Next Gen GEO (NGG) and Polar (NGP) constellations is to deliver end-to-end, resilient, missiles warning systems that outpace the threat.

Our primary customer is the U.S. Space Force (USSF), and this position is customer-facing with a fast-paced tempo to address challenges head-on. We are looking for a driven, motivated OPIR Systems Engineering expert to perform Early On Orbit (EOT) technical support and mod/sim in a dynamic team environment.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time on-site at our facility in El Segundo CA.    

What You’ll Be Doing

• Our OPIR mission payload (MPL) department provides technical assessments on end-to-end performance of OPIR systems
• The MPL team supports the OPIR Enterprise and ensures early on-orbit testing meets operational acceptance timeline. 
• You will execute independent assessments of end-to-end performance and provide guidance to USSF customer on space-to-ground integration.
• You will impact the mission area by actively engaging in strategic planning, collaborating with USSF, government contractors, and Aerospace SMEs to address challenges and deliver integrated operational capabilities.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Project Engineer Payload Systems Engineering - EO

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, astronomy, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or other discipline
• 8 or more years of proven experience OPIR systems engineering, satellites, and operations/spacecraft systems or data analytics background in a space environment
• Hands-on experience with modeling and simulation of the following
  • Pixel simulation
  • Line of sight tuning and calibration
  • Radiometric tuning and calibration
  • Onboard and ground exceedance processing
  • Ground representative return processing

• Familiarity with Enterprise challenges and risk management
• Willing to travel approx. 25%
• This position requires 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.

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Sr. Project Engineer Payload Systems Engineering - EO include:

• Master’s degree in physics, astronomy, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or other discipline
• 12 or more years of proven experience OPIR systems engineering, satellites, and operations/spacecraft systems or data analytics background in a space environment
• Direct relevant experiences with Enterprise challenges and risk management, including demonstrated payload delivery and on-orbit calibration and tuning

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Proven history supporting the USSF customer
• Ability to collaborate across government and contractor teams
• Record of advising US Government customer at critical decision milestones (technical and/or schedule), including performing risk assessments.
• Participation in and leading of anomaly resolution teams
• Current Secret level clearance, addition of SCI preferred

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)

$129,000.00 - $249,600.00

Pay Basis: Annual

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.