What are the responsibilities and job description for the Space Architecture Optimization Analyst position at The Aerospace Corporation?
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) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a diverse and dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities.
The Space Enterprise Design and Optimization Department (SEDOD) is in EED’s Enterprise Design Subdivision (EDS). We bring to bear expertise in a wide variety of fields to tackle tough problems and explore novel ideas, directly impacting the future of the space enterprise. We primarily focus on the performance modeling, analysis, and optimization of orbits, mission architectures, and acquisition portfolios. We are searching for someone to join a team of engineers, mathematicians, and scientists and grow our department of highly skilled technical specialists. Join us today and become a part of a culture that promotes innovation, growth, and technical excellence!
As part of SEDOD and EDS, a Member of Technical Staff / Senior Member of the Technical Staff (Engineering Integration – Modeling and Simulation Engineering) will employ and develop sophisticated simulation tools to perform space and ground design, optimization, and analysis in support of architecture concept trade studies, requirements verification, analyses-of-alternatives, and performance modeling. They will act as a technical expert for a portfolio of high-impact projects, in addition to working on teams and collaborating with other analysts to expand their domain knowledge.
Work Model
This is a full-time position based in Huntsville, AL, offering a hybrid work model that combines 4 or more regular onsite workdays a week and remote flexibility as the business needs allow.
What You’ll Be Doing
Independently and collaboratively conducting deep dives, trade studies, and assessments to define and address customer needs in the areas of space architecture design and optimization, space network design, orbital analysis, and space security and defense
Providing support for modeling and simulation capabilities specific to Missile Defense Agency and Space Development Agency customers through a combination of agent-based simulation and multi-objective optimization.
Leveraging in-house and commercial- and government-off-the-shelf engineering analysis tools to deliver technical insights through analytical deep dives, trade studies, and assessments in department focus areas
Contributing to the development of analysis software tools and actively pursuing opportunities to enhance and improve existing simulation and analysis capabilities for a wide range of customers
Developing and presenting timely and technically accurate presentations and reports that clearly communicate analysis results and provide recommended solutions to technical leads, management, and customers
Building and maintaining a strong base of customers and collaborators for the department through effective working relationships with cross-organization partners, government customers, and contractor teammates
What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements for the Member of the Technical Staff – Modeling & Simulation Engineering:
B.S. degree in aerospace, astronautical, or mechanical engineering, physics, operations research, mathematics, or a related field of science or engineering
2 or more years of relevant and progressive professional or academic experience
Experience with constellation design, astrodynamics, mathematics related to satellite access geometry, or optimization
Experience independently creating, executing, and debugging modeling and simulation tools
Ability to support multiple programs and/or activities simultaneously act as a technical point-of-contact
Knowledge of Python, C, C , MATLAB, or another programming language
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Senior Member of the Technical Staff – Modeling & Simulation Engineering include:
5 or more years of relevant and progressive professional or academic experience
Significant history of making effective contributions to a wide range of technical analysis or development projects
Experience leading a team to accomplish an objective
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
A graduate degree or extensive work experience in the fields of study mentioned above
Experience with Advanced Framework for Simulation, Integration, and Modeling (AFSIM) or other agent-based simulations
Work history in one of these specific national security space or intelligence mission areas: missile defense systems, geo-spatial intelligence, signals intelligence, space surveillance, or space protection
Background in one or more of the following areas: optimization techniques, genetic algorithms, space mission design, satellite constellation performance modeling, satellite orbit access analysis, or simulation development
Current Secret security clearance or higher
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, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.
