Navigation and Communications Systems Technical Fellow

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

4d•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. At the Mission Payloads Division (MPD), we are pioneers in remote sensing systems that guide our country’s space enterprise. Our talented and dynamic people create and flourish in electronics, sensors, radar, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced data network domains. We boldly advance technology through our research and development and then forward to demonstration and integration. With innovative laboratories and prototyping, MPD delivers groundbreaking results. We guide our Department of Defense, intelligence community, and civil clients to enhance national productivity and security and tackle the most critical missions. Bring your intelligence and creative spirit and join us at MPD! We are seeking a Technical Fellow in Navigation and Communications Systems, creating a new leadership opportunity for impact across our National Security Space customers. This role will drive strategic development across the DoD, Intelligence Community (IC), civil and commercial mission areas, creating national-level impact for secure, scalable, and resilient navigation and communication systems in dynamic and contested operating environments. The Technical Fellow will shape the design of nav and comm capabilities, the creation of resilient and robust solutions, the utilization of commercial and alternate PNT sources and enable the development and integration of new waveforms into satellite-to-user implementations. The Technical Fellow is responsible for strategies and roadmaps to advance nav and comm capabilities, and they will mentor Aerospace staff to strengthen our technical depth in these rapidly evolving fields. They will also work with Aerospace’s Chief Technology Officer to drive corporate strategies for nav and comm and support the corporate Technical and Strategic Investment priorities. This Technical Fellow will be a key leader for MPD, the division responsible for Aerospace’s RF and optical communications architectures, payloads, sensing, processing and related electronics solutions. As Aerospace’s largest engineering division, MPD is at the cutting edge of technology supporting customers in multiple frontiers such as AI/ML based sensing, signals and network orchestration, resilient network architectures and agile processing, prototype development of nav and comm systems and their associated waveforms which mitigate threats and ensure protected capabilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in STEM, Engineering, or a related technical field
15+ years’ experience in navigation and communication systems, with a track record of innovation and development of new technology solutions in these areas
Foundational understanding and direct experience leading technology development of navigation and communication systems, associated space and ground networks, and associated resilient solutions
Specific experience in designing, modeling and testing navigation and communication architectures for government applications
Experience leading nav and comm related R&D initiatives
Demonstrated multi-disciplinary skills to create impactful teams across related technologies
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to coordinate cross-functional teams and engage with external stakeholders
Proven ability to engage with senior government officials, industry partners, and research communities to shape strategies
Demonstrated leadership in mentoring and developing technical talent across organizations
Ability to attain Top Secret/SCI clearance and maintain a security clearance
U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
Ability to be vetted for US Government Compartmented and Special Access Programs

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree in STEM, or degree in Computer Science, or a related technical field
Proven ability to bridge commercial, defense, and civil space sectors, aligning government needs with industry-leading capabilities
Demonstrated expertise with problem-solving and independent analysis, and a commitment to delivering resilient, future-ready solutions that empower mission success in the rapidly evolving aerospace landscape
Extensive examples of applying technical rigor and delivering actionable insights, while utilizing risk mitigation processes (across cost, schedule and technical risks), to save time and resources on critical national security and commercial space programs
Successful track record of prototyping early solutions that were successfully transitioned to the broader community
Experience establishing joint partnerships across the navigation and communications community to drive innovation
Knowledge of AI/ML for nav and comm applications, advanced waveforms, and/or signal processing.
Direct experience designing and developing applications for space systems and/or satellite ground systems
Experience working across sensitive and compartmented DoD and Intelligence community missions

Responsibilities

Work directly with government customers to drive the rapid development of innovative space nav and comm capabilities to meet the needs of a multitude of programs in National Security Space
Serve as a collaborative thought-leader and technical authority on such architectures, commercial integration strategies, and mission-critical field tests and deployments
With unique knowledge of customer challenges across the space enterprise, lead strategic planning to help grow Aerospace’s leadership role
Drive the development of mission critical nav and comm capabilities by aiding the design, acquisition, and operation of secure, scalable, and resilient space and ground solutions
Advise and influence key Aerospace leaders on IR&D investments, positioning R&D programs for broader community adoption and transition
Collaborate across the Aerospace enterprise and engineering matrix to integrate activities for a more impactful approach across customer base
Identify prototyping opportunities for Aerospace and help develop internal laboratory testbeds necessary to position Aerospace for leadership role with both commercial providers and government stakeholders
Mentor and advise staff in navigation and communication architectures, methods, and principles and in the introduction of new approaches to different applications
Provide input to management on technical succession planning and skillset requirements

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