Laser Communication Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a laser communications engineer (Senior Member of Technical Staff or Engineering Specialist) to join its Optical Communications Department in the Mission Payloads Division. The department provides technical leadership to U.S. Government laser communications activities and supports programs throughout their lifecycles, from concept and requirements development through technology maturation, risk reduction, engineering, manufacturing, production, deployment, and sustainment. It works with corporate customers to help ensure robust, resilient optical satellite communications solutions are available to support space-enabled missions. The selected candidate will work on laser communications system validation and verification, innovative solution development, architecture assessment, specialized studies, and technical advice for customers and management. The position is full-time and requires working on-site at the El Segundo, California facility. Occasional domestic travel of approximately 10% may be required; remote local or remote distant arrangements are noted if required. The role may be filled at the Senior Member of Technical Staff level or as an Engineering Specialist. The Senior Member of Technical Staff minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in optics, physics, electrical engineering, or an equivalent STEM discipline and at least five years of applicable optical engineering experience. Engineering Specialist candidates additionally require at least eight years of applicable optical or communications systems engineering experience relevant to laser communications, along with technical leadership and space-program delivery experience. The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI SSBI security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for clearance eligibility.

Requirements

For Senior Member of Technical Staff: bachelor’s degree in optics, physics, electrical engineering, or an equivalent STEM discipline.
For Senior Member of Technical Staff: at least five years of increasing, applicable professional experience in optical engineering.
Experience with laser transmitters, optical detectors, and related technologies.
Demonstrated ability to support laser communications trade studies.
Familiarity with communications link and pointing error budgets.
Willingness to travel occasionally to a work location or domestic customer site, up to approximately 10%.
Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI SSBI security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain the clearance.
For Engineering Specialist: at least eight years of increasing, applicable professional experience in optical or communications systems engineering relevant to laser communications.
For Engineering Specialist: demonstrated technical leadership, including leading design reviews and guiding multidisciplinary teams.
For Engineering Specialist: proven record of delivering optical system solutions for space programs.
For Engineering Specialist: history of innovation, creativity, and initiative.

Nice To Haves

Experience with atmospheric turbulence modeling and adaptive optics.
Master’s or Ph.D. in electrical engineering, physics, optical sciences, or another related technical field from an accredited university.
Professional background supporting systems engineering applied to satellite communications or optical systems.
Experience developing laser or electro-optical pointing, acquisition, and tracking requirements.
Success supporting or leading end-to-end laser system requirements and designs, including transmitter, optical elements, and receiver.
Demonstrated ability to lead trade studies related to optical communications receiver designs.
Skills developing or managing specialized software tools in Matlab, Python, C++, or other languages used in laser communications activities.
Current Secret or Top Secret clearance with SSBI or periodic reinvestigation completed within the last five years that resulted in clearance being granted or maintained.
Current TS/SCI access with counterintelligence polygraph.

Responsibilities

Lead laser communications system validation and verification activities, potentially including testing, modeling, and simulation.
Develop and demonstrate innovative solutions to challenging laser communications problems.
Evaluate ground and space laser communications system architectures by testing or analyzing elements such as the gimbal, telescope, optical head, adaptive optics system, and modem.
Conduct specialized satellite laser communications studies and report findings to internal and external customers.
Provide technical advice to management, customers, and associate contractors across space system lifecycles, from early concept through on-orbit performance.
Take initiative to inform management of perceived technical problems and recommend courses of action to support mission success.
For Engineering Specialist candidates: lead design reviews and guide multidisciplinary teams.
For Engineering Specialist candidates: deliver optical system solutions for space programs.

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 a total company-paid benefit 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.