Laser Communication Engineer
About The Position
The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a laser communications engineer at the Senior Member of Technical Staff or Engineering Specialist level to join the Optical Communications Department within the Mission Payloads Division. The department provides technical leadership to U.S. Government laser communications activities and supports programs from concept development through technology maturation, engineering, manufacturing, production, deployment, and sustainment. The role supports robust and resilient optical satellite communications solutions for space-enabled missions. The selected candidate will work full time on-site at the company’s facility in El Segundo, California. The role involves leading laser communications system validation and verification, developing and demonstrating solutions to technical challenges, assessing ground and space system architectures, conducting studies, and advising management and customers throughout space-system lifecycles. Occasional domestic travel of approximately 10% may be required. The Senior Member of Technical Staff position requires a relevant bachelor’s degree and at least five years of applicable optical engineering experience. The Engineering Specialist position additionally requires at least eight years of applicable optical or communications systems engineering experience, technical leadership, and a record of delivering optical solutions for space programs. The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI SSBI clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for clearance eligibility.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in optics, physics, electrical engineering, or an equivalent STEM discipline.
- At least five years of increasing, applicable professional experience in optical engineering for the Senior Member of Technical Staff role.
- Experience with laser transmitters, optical detectors, and related technologies.
- Ability to support laser communications trade studies.
- Familiarity with communications link and pointing error budgets.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI SSBI security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain the clearance.
- For the Engineering Specialist role: at least eight years of increasing, applicable professional experience in optical or communications systems engineering relevant to laser communications.
- For the Engineering Specialist role: demonstrated technical leadership, including leading design reviews and guiding multidisciplinary teams.
- For the Engineering Specialist role: a proven record of delivering optical system solutions for space programs.
- For the Engineering Specialist role: history of innovation, creativity, and initiative.
- Willingness to travel occasionally to a work location or customer site domestically, up to approximately 10%.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with atmospheric turbulence modeling and adaptive optics.
- A master’s or Ph.D. in electrical engineering, physics, optical sciences, or another related technical field.
- Professional experience 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 the transmitter, optical elements, and receiver.
- 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 an SSBI or periodic reinvestigation completed within the last five years that resulted in clearance being granted or maintained.
- Current TS/SCI access with a counterintelligence polygraph.
Responsibilities
- Lead laser communications system validation and verification activities, including testing and modeling and simulation.
- Develop and demonstrate innovative solutions to challenging laser communications problems.
- Evaluate ground and space laser communications architectures by testing or analyzing system elements, including 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 for mission success.
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 benefits of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service, plus matching contributions; immediate eligibility and vesting 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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
