Radar Research and Development Scientist

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 National Systems Group serves as the technical advisor to the Intelligence Community and its mission partners involved in the collection and distribution of national and tactical intelligence, including electronics programs, advanced technologies, ground and communications, imagery programs, and systems engineering and launch.

The Imagery Programs Division (IPD) is looking for a Radar Research and Development Scientist (Senior Project Engineer – Signal & Image Process Engineering) to work on advanced RADAR programs for the Aerospace GEOINT Research and Technology Directorate.  In this position, you will have an opportunity to lead Aerospace activities that assist Government customers in planning, negotiating, and executing critical technology development activities, experimental programs, and study activities.  You will communicate programmatic and technical issues and provide independent recommendations to Aerospace management, the Government customer and other contractors.  As a Senior Project Engineer you must be able to work within Aerospace and across programmatic boundaries to enable Aerospace contributions to the GEOINT and Technology Development enterprise.

This position requires 100% on site work in Chantilly, VA

What You’ll Be Doing

• Assist the Government GEOINT Research and Technology Office customers in successfully planning, negotiating and executing crucial space system technology development and acquisition decisions.
• Lead analysis and develop recommendations for the customer in support of future RADAR systems and architectures.
• Lead analysis and collaboration on development and implementation of electronic protection across the customer community.
• Communicate programmatic and technical issues and provide independent recommendations to Aerospace management, the Government customer and other contractors.
• Integrate Aerospace activities to focus the strength of the corporation on helping the customer realize future capabilities.
• Serve as advisor and mentor to SETA, Aerospace, and Customer representatives as they learn technical aspects of program execution
• Identify Aerospace research opportunities to advance the state of art for GEOINT RADAR systems including hardware, applications, supporting methods, and tools.
• Work in a fast-paced environment with many interesting technical challenges that require strategy, critical thinking and collaboration to provide solutions 

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the: Project Engineer – Signal and Image Processing

• Bachelor’s OR Advanced degree in mathematics, physics, electrical engineering or related technical discipline
• A minimum of 6 years of experience post-bachelor degree (time spent obtaining advanced degree counts toward this)
• Experience with SAR space-based systems
• Familiarity with space system payload and/or vehicle development, from requirements specification through development, manufacturing, testing, verification, and on-orbit operations
• This position requires a current and active TS/SSBI/SCI 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 Senior Project Engineer - Signal & Image Process Engineering include:

• A minimum of 12 years of experience
• Experience with signal processing and/or system architecting in the areas of SAR space based systems
• Experience supporting advanced technology requirements development to meet emerging mission needs
• Acquisition experience with verifying and validating contractor designs and approaches

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Experience with other Radar missions such as MTI
• Experience with payload design, build and test
• Experience with Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) of a space vehicle
• Strong experience with the implementation and analysis of SAR systems
• Experience with electronic protection technology, CONOPs and familiarity with the community.
• Knowledge of hardware processing and architecting in the areas of FPGAs and GPUs
• An advanced degree in mathematics, physics or electrical engineering
• Experience working within the intelligence community and advising senior officials 
• Prior experience working in an engineering matrix that supports program office and customer senior leadership

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.