2026 Communications and Signal Processing Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•Chantilly, VA

10d•$90,000 - $130,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is hiring a Communications and Signal Processing Engineer for its Mission Payloads Division (MPD) in Chantilly, Virginia. The successful candidate will join the Communications and Signal Analysis Department (CSAD), which analyzes, models, and simulates end-to-end radio and optical communication systems and signal collection and processing techniques. The team advises Aerospace customers on technical matters and advanced technology development needs, supporting concept development and prototyping, system acquisition, and anomaly resolution, primarily for specialized satellite and associated ground-processing applications. The role focuses on analysis, modeling, and simulation of radio systems and related signal processing, including channel and hardware distortion effects on wideband communications and collection receiver performance. Work may span transmitter distortions, channel effects, receiver RF chains from antenna through analog-to-digital conversion, and application-specific DSP backend processing. The engineer will conduct studies and analytical trades, support Civil, DoD, and intelligence community customers—primarily the National Reconnaissance Office—and contribute through independent technical assignments and collaborative projects. The position involves stakeholder engagement, technical recommendations, customer program and technical meetings, presentations, and symposia. This is a full-time, on-site position at the company’s Chantilly, Virginia facility, with frequent visits to local customer facilities and infrequent domestic or international travel as needed. The candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for clearance. Transcripts are required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related STEM discipline from an accredited university, completed or expected within 12 months.
0–1 year of industry experience.
Coursework in digital communications and signal processing using MATLAB or Python.
Solid understanding of radio satellite systems communications modeling and simulation.
Working knowledge of digital filters, modulation schemes, coding, and SATCOM link budget analysis.
Ability to support advanced development, integration, and testing of radio communications and/or collection systems.
Willingness to travel domestically or internationally infrequently, as needed.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain clearance.
Transcripts are required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or Ph.D. degree from an accredited program in Electrical Engineering.
Understanding of RF systems design and analysis.
Understanding of software-defined radio (SDR) platforms and implementations.
Understanding of hardware imperfections and distortion effects.
Active TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

Perform analysis, modeling, and simulation of radio systems and related signal processing, including channel effects and hardware distortion effects affecting wideband communications and collection receiver performance.
Analyze some or all of transmitter distortions, channel effects, receiver RF chains from antenna through analog-to-digital conversion, and application-specific DSP backend processing.
Perform studies and analytical trades across a broad range of communications and signal processing applications.
Support Civil, Department of Defense, and intelligence community customers, with primary support to the National Reconnaissance Office.
Contribute to independent technical assignments and collaborative team-based projects within CSAD.
Demonstrate leadership and initiative by informing stakeholders of technical issues and recommended actions, including technical studies, laboratory risk-reduction efforts, and on-orbit testing.
Represent the organization at customer program review meetings, technical meetings, presentations, and symposia.
Support advanced development, integration, and testing of radio communications and/or collection systems.

Benefits

Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options.
401(k) plan with company-paid contributions of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service, plus matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested upon hire.
Flexible spending accounts.
Variable pay program for exceptional contributions.
Relocation assistance.
Professional growth and development programs.
Education assistance programs.
Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.