OPIR Systems Engineering & EOT Support Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

2d•Onsite

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 Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers’ portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems. The OPIR Payloads Department in the Space Based Sensing Division is actively participating in the building and fielding of next generation OPIR payloads for GEO and polar orbits. The mission of Next Gen GEO (NGG) and Polar (NGP) constellations is to deliver end-to-end, resilient, missiles warning systems that outpace the threat. Our primary customer is the U.S. Space Force (USSF), and this position is customer-facing with a fast-paced tempo to address challenges head-on. We are looking for a driven, motivated OPIR Systems Engineering & EOT Support Engineer expert to perform technical support in a dynamic team environment. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time on-site at our facility in El Segundo CA. Our OPIR mission payload (MPL) department provides technical assessments on end-to-end performance of OPIR systems The MPL team supports the OPIR Enterprise and ensures early on-orbit testing meets operational acceptance timeline. You will execute independent assessments of end-to-end performance and provide guidance to USSF customer on space-to-ground integration. You will impact the mission area by actively engaging in strategic planning, collaborating with USSF, government contractors, and Aerospace SMEs to address challenges and deliver integrated operational capabilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in physics, astronomy, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or other discipline
8 or more years of proven experience OPIR systems engineering, satellites, and operations/spacecraft systems or data analytics background in a space environment
Hands-on experience with modeling and simulation of the following: Pixel simulation, Line of sight tuning and calibration, Radiometric tuning and calibration, Onboard and ground exceedance processing, Ground representative return processing
Familiarity with Enterprise challenges and risk management
Willing to travel approx. 25%
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government.
U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
Master’s degree in physics, astronomy, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or other discipline
12 or more years of proven experience OPIR systems engineering, satellites, and operations/spacecraft systems or data analytics background in a space environment
Direct relevant experiences with Enterprise challenges and risk management, including demonstrated payload delivery and on-orbit calibration and tuning

Nice To Haves

Proven history supporting the USSF customer
Ability to collaborate across government and contractor teams
Record of advising US Government customer at critical decision milestones (technical and/or schedule), including performing risk assessments.
Participation in and leading of anomaly resolution teams
Current Secret level clearance, addition of SCI preferred

Responsibilities

Perform technical support in a dynamic team environment.
Provide technical assessments on end-to-end performance of OPIR systems.
Support the OPIR Enterprise and ensure early on-orbit testing meets operational acceptance timeline.
Execute independent assessments of end-to-end performance.
Provide guidance to USSF customer on space-to-ground integration.
Actively engage in strategic planning.
Collaborate with USSF, government contractors, and Aerospace SMEs to address challenges and deliver integrated operational capabilities.

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