Senior Laser Communications Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation • El Segundo, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is a trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving complex problems and providing technical expertise across satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil, and commercial customers. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), the company delivers innovative solutions. The Mission Payloads Division (MPD) focuses on remote sensing systems, excelling in electronics, sensors, radar, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced data network domains through research, development, demonstration, and integration. The MPD supports the Department of Defense, intelligence community, and civil clients. This role is for a laser communications systems engineer (Senior Engineering Specialist) within the Optical Communications Department. This department provides technical leadership to US Government activities involving laser communications (lasercom), supporting programs from initial concept and requirements development through technology maturation, risk reduction, engineering, manufacturing, production, deployment, and sustainment. The department ensures robust and resilient optical SATCOM solutions are available to augment space-enabled missions. This is a full-time position based at either the El Segundo, CA or Chantilly, VA campuses.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university program in electrical engineering, physics or closely related discipline
• 12 or more years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including multi-disciplinary systems engineering and/or program management environments
• Experience with laser transmitters, optical detectors and related technologies
• Familiarity with communications link and pointing error budgets
• Demonstrated knowledge of laser atmospheric propagation theory, analysis, and adaptive optics hardware implementation
• Modeling and coding experience in one or more environments (e.g. MATLAB, Python, C++, etc.)
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically up to approximately 10% of the time
• Current Secret or Top Secret clearance with SSBI or periodic reinvestigation completed within the last 5 years that resulted in clearance granted or maintained

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree from an accredited program in electrical engineering, physics or closely related discipline
• Broad modeling and coding experience in multiple environments (e.g. MATLAB, Python, VPIPhotonics, etc.)
• Demonstrated expertise in laser communication
• Active TS/SCI/Q Clearance

Responsibilities

• Provide expertise in support of development, operation, maintenance and evolution of space lasercom systems which includes work supporting or leading: Lasercom link budget development and maintenance
• Dynamic link modeling & simulation including atmospheric propagation and temporal/spatial beam jitter
• Performing detailed system hardware architecture trade balancing insertion of advanced technology with appropriate risk and providing insight to senior decision makers
• Concepts of operations & constellation orbital flight concept development
• Support lasercom modeling and simulation department tool development, documentation, and implementation using Python and MATLAB
• Work with Senior Engineers to support all phases of Ground and Space lasercom development lifecycle which may include requirement definition; assembly, integration & test; anomaly resolution; modeling & simulation; unit, subsystem, and system test; and spacecraft launch and on-orbit support

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees