Electromechanical Controls Engineer (Electric Motor Specialist)

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

4d•$117,300 - $175,900•Hybrid

About The Position

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 Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls, robotics, electro-mechanical devices, embedded systems, fluid mechanics, propulsion, thermal control, orbital mechanics, mechanisms, structures, structural dynamics, and dynamic environments. The Electromechanical Control Department (ECD) is charged with the responsibility of providing technical support in the areas of hardware used for spacecraft and launch vehicles, as well as terrestrial and aerial applications. We specialize in mission critical control sensors and actuators, including Electric Motors, Gyroscopes and IMUs, Accelerometers, Gimbals, Steering Mirrors, Encoders & Resolvers, Star Trackers, GPS Receivers, Capacitive & Inductive Sensors, Servo Mechanism, Thrust Vector Control Actuators, and Reaction Wheels. As an Electromechanical Controls Engineer (Engineering Specialist – Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineering) in ECD, you will plan and conduct technical studies, experimental investigations, and verification activities to support customer programs, while interacting with government customers, program management, and contractors. This position is located in El Segundo, CA., requiring at least 4 days onsite.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a STEM field or equivalent
6 years or more of applicable professional or educational experience
Expertise with laboratory experimentation, test strategy development, experiment design, and integration and testing
Strong working knowledge of electronics, mechanical design, control systems, inertial sensors, and actuators applicable to spacecraft and/or launch vehicles
Experience performing technical support in complex environments (multi-program, multi-agency) involving customers, program offices, engineering support, and contractors
Proficiency with tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, dSPACE, LabVIEW, SolidWorks, C/C++, Python
Flexibility for up to 10% travel and availability during non-standard hours to meet customer demands
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government-issued security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in a STEM field or equivalent is preferred
Expertise in electric motors: electric motors and drive electronics, specifically brushless direct-current electric (BLDC) motors, servo and stepper motors, direct drive and geared, servo control; have design, modeling, simulation, and test experience with motors, actuators, and electromagnetic design/analysis software OR expertise in areas such as: electromechanical interface development, GPS receiver testing and associated algorithms, space vehicle control electronics and avionics systems, electronic circuit design and analysis, laser communications and optics, signal processing and filtering, real-time software development
Familiarity with launch vehicle and satellite payloads and control, their relationships to other subsystems, and to mission-level performance
Demonstrated ability to provide innovative solutions to challenging technical problems
Demonstrated experience mentoring and building a product team that maintains working relationships with all levels of customer, corporate staff, and contractors
Experience identifying new business opportunities and bringing tasks and projects from internal and external sources to your team
Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance

Responsibilities

Conduct technical studies involving the testing, evaluation, analysis, or simulation of control hardware components
Verify contractor designs, approaches, and overall system performance
Supervise and support experimental investigations in the Mechatronics Research Laboratory (managed by ECD) and/or other Aerospace labs including control sensor and actuator performance evaluation, controller design and implementation, and data reduction and visualization associated with the study of key hardware components
Interact with government customers, program management, and contractors supporting multiple programs
Clearly communicate the results of studies while working with both internal and external customers and stakeholders as a technical authority, consultant, primary investigator, or project leader

Benefits

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