Signal & Image Processing and AI Project 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 Material 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.

As a Signal & Image Processing and Artificial Intelligence Project Engineer in DSG, you will be directly supporting the Tools, Applications and Processing Lab (TAP Lab) as it advances the Missile Warning & Tracking (MWT) mission using Overhead Persistent Infra-Red (OPIR). In this role, you will be responsible for the support of vendor R&D efforts, understanding and performance portions of our in-house R&D, and aligning the R&D lab with the broader enterprise. That will mean supporting migration to cloud, addressing the challenges with future sensor systems, working with a Gov’t Software Factory, and incorporating new technologies, including AI & Machine Learning, into OPIR data exploitation.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA. Some travel to Boulder and Aurora, CO will be expected.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Supporting research and development of new Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning (AIML) tools, applications, and processing for OPIR Mission Data Processing / Data Exploitation
• Supporting the development of software for R&D sensors
• Advance new ground and processing technologies in support of Operations, with a focus on use of AIML for those areas
• An Innovation and New Technology Advocate as well as Early Adopter mindset is required.
• Support the advancement of OPIR MWT mission by addressing anticipated future problems before they arrive
• Working with our vendor community, gov’t stakeholders and many others, as they address these challenges

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Project Engineer - Signal & Image Processing and Artificial Intelligence:

• Bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in aerospace engineering, astronautical engineering, computer science, data science or relevant technical field such as astronomy or physics.
• 8 or more years of professional experience with image, OPIR, or Mission Data Processing/Data Exploitation, ideally researching or developing such software for professional/operational release
• 4 or more years of professional experience applying software engineering practices and leading the application of such practices
• Enterprise scale image or OPIR processing software system development experience
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, exciting environment with rapidly evolving, competing priorities
• Demonstrated experience in coding image processing algorithms with C and/or Python
• This position requires a current Secret security clearance, which is issued by the US 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:

• Post-Graduate degree in a STEM area, preferably satellite sensor processing
• Significant understanding of Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Missile Warning &Tracking mission areas, with a heavy focus on Mission Data Processing / Data Exploitation
• Experience in satellite Remote Sensing that can augment Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR)
• Experience supporting very technical vendors in a Gov’t R&D environment
• Demonstrated effectiveness working with limited supervision
• Demonstrated capability to work in a highly dynamic Program Office environment with a mix of Government, FFRDC, SETA, and vendor personnel
• Top Secret security clearance with appropriate SCI is strongly 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 - $193,500.00

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.