2027 GNC Spacecraft/Payload Control Systems Analyst

The Aerospace Corporation • El Segundo, CA

15d • Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Spacecraft/Payload Control Systems Analyst in the Vehicle Systems Division’s Control Analysis Department. The department provides satellite attitude and payload-pointing estimation and control-system analysis for defense, civil, and commercial space programs. The analyst will work with internal and external stakeholders to provide technical oversight and analysis throughout program lifecycles, including conceptual studies, prototyping, source selection, development, and operations. The position is full-time and on-site at the company’s facility in El Segundo, California. Training and mentorship will be provided. The role is designated Member of Technical Staff or Senior Member of Technical Staff, Guidance, Navigation and Control Engineering.

Candidates should have a relevant master’s degree (pursuing or conferred within the last 12 months), 0–1 year of industry experience, graduate coursework or hands-on experience in control systems, estimation, or dynamics, experience developing control and dynamics simulations, proficiency in Python and/or MATLAB/Simulink, and working knowledge of C/C++. The role requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.

The annual grade-based salary range is $86,600–$150,400. Individual compensation depends on factors including education, experience, knowledge, and skills. The company describes benefits including health and wellness plans, paid holidays and leave, work-schedule options, a 401(k) plan, flexible spending accounts, variable pay, relocation assistance, professional development, and education assistance.

Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline, pursuing or conferred within the last 12 months.
• 0–1 year of industry work experience.
• Graduate-level coursework and/or in-depth hands-on experience in at least one of: control system design and analysis, estimation theory, or dynamics.
• Experience developing control and dynamics simulations.
• Proficiency with Python and/or MATLAB/Simulink.
• Working knowledge of C/C++.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Organizational, time-management, and project-management skills.
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing organizational needs.
• Interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with internal and external organizations.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain the clearance.

Nice To Haves

• PhD degree from an accredited college or university in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline, pursuing or conferred within the last 12 months.
• Proficiency with software development practices and tools, including Git, Docker, cross-platform compatibility across Linux, Windows, and Mac, ROS/Gazebo, and distributed computing.
• Experience with rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking scenarios.
• Experience with computer vision algorithms, image processing, or point-cloud analysis.
• Experience with mobile robotics, guidance algorithms, or trajectory optimization.
• Experience with simultaneous localization and mapping, unscented Kalman filters, particle filters, or factor graphs.
• Experience in data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, or reinforcement learning.
• Proficiency in payload-pointing estimation and control.
• Proficiency in spacecraft attitude determination and control.
• Proficiency in Kalman filtering and stochastic processes.
• Proficiency in advanced control techniques and applications.
• Proficiency in modeling and simulation of control systems.
• Proficiency in multibody and flexible-body dynamics.
• Proficiency in implementation, testing, deploying, and calibration of control systems.
• Active DoD Top Secret/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the design, simulation, analysis, and evaluation of spacecraft and payload control systems for national security, civil, and commercial space programs.
• Support concept development, trade studies, source selections, requirements analyses, risk assessments, design analyses, simulation development, prototyping, test planning and execution, operations support, and anomaly resolution.
• Communicate technical results orally and in writing, interacting with government customers, program management, and contractors.
• Research, develop, and document new analysis tools and techniques.
• Engage with subject matter experts in continuous learning to advance state-of-the-art technical analysis.
• Perform other duties or activities as assigned; responsibilities may change as needed.

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 based on years of service and 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level