Space Domain Awareness and Directed Energy Analyst

The Aerospace Corporation•Colorado Springs, CO

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation’s Enterprise Effects Division (EED) and Space Control and Awareness Department (SCAD) support national security space missions through systems engineering, architecture analysis, modeling and simulation, and operational support. This role contributes to space operations and national security projects involving space domain awareness, space control, sensor systems, and directed energy. The analyst evaluates risks to satellite operations from optical, nuclear, RF, debris, collision, and other counterspace threats; supports orbital warfare and directed energy mission planning and analysis; assesses electro-optical, radar, and passive RF sensor concepts and architectures; and models complex space scenarios using custom, commercial, and government tools. The role also participates in operational simulations and collaborates with government customers, program offices, and technical teams across multiple locations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science, astronomy, or a related field.
Experience in at least one of the following: space domain awareness or space surveillance; optical and radar sensor systems; space control, counterspace, or space protection missions; satellite operations, orbit analysis, or space situational awareness; or directed energy concepts such as lasers or nuclear effects.
Experience with modeling, simulation, and/or algorithm development.
Proficiency in at least one programming language: Python, MATLAB, C++, Java, C, or FORTRAN.
Ability to develop or use computer tools to solve complex interdisciplinary problems.
Strong briefing and interpersonal skills, with comfort working with senior government officials, contractors, and cross-functional teams.
Must be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Active TS/SCI clearance.
Military or operational experience as an orbit analyst, space control operator, intelligence analyst, or battle manager in air, maritime, or missile defense domains.
Familiarity with Space Surveillance Network (SSN) sensors or other space surveillance systems.
Command and control (C2) background.
EO or radar sensor expertise.
Systems engineering or architecture development experience.

Responsibilities

Evaluate risks to satellite operations from optical threats, nuclear effects, RF threats, debris, collisions, and counterspace activities.
Contribute to orbital warfare and directed energy mission planning and analysis.
Evaluate electro-optical (EO), radar, and passive RF sensor concepts and architectures.
Use custom, commercial, and government tools to model and simulate complex space scenarios.
Participate in operational simulations and wargaming that inform future space strategies.
Collaborate with government customers, program offices, and technical teams.