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 Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.

The Aerospace Corporation’s Experiment Lab, xLab, develops prototypes, instruments, pathfinders, and demonstration systems to address our customers’ hardest problems at the speed of need. We engage with our customers to conceptualize innovative solutions and deliver impactful products for ground and space and everything in between. We are looking for engineers with a passion for design, a commitment to teamwork and a desire to help xLab make a difference to today’s challenges. 

The Small Satellite Department conceives, develops, and operates small satellite missions in partnership with a broad array of customers. The department comprises a core group of 15-20 engineers and technologists and leverages expertise from across Aerospace’s deep technical backbone for specialty engineering. The team is currently seeking a Ground/Communications Systems Engineer (Senior Member of Technical Staff or Engineering Specialist) to support small satellite missions and supporting ground systems. The position offers the opportunity for a creative individual to innovate in a fast-paced instrument development environment where direct access to and mentoring by senior staff are provided to accelerate the learning process.   

Work Model: This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA, offering a hybrid work model that combines regular onsite work and remote flexibility as the business needs allow. 

What You’ll Be Doing  

• Maintenance and expansion of Aerospace’s small satellite ground network 

• Design, develop, and integrate ground communication systems

• Provide technical expertise in satellite communications and network architecture

• Analyze system requirements and develop engineering solutions

• Conduct system testing, evaluation, and validation

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful project execution

• Assure compliance of small satellite mission operations and system test activities with relevant company policies and practices for quality, project execution, safety and security 

What You Need to be Successful - Sr. Member of the Technical Staff

Minimum Requirements: 

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related discipline 

• Five or more years of related experience

• Proficient in both Windows and Linux operating systems, including Ubuntu and CentOS

• Strong understanding of networking protocols and concepts, such as TCP/IP, UDP, Socket APIs, IP tables, etc.

• Experience working with containerization platforms such as Docker

• Familiarity with web frameworks such as Django, Flask, and aiohttp

• Knowledge of programming languages including Python, C/C++, and MATLAB

• Familiarity with relational and time series databases, including MySQL and InfluxDB

• This position requires 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. 

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Engineering Specialist include: 

• Eight or more years of related experience

• Large systems experience, e.g., workload orchestration and containerization, engineering geographically dispersed services, multi-vendor services integration 

How You Can Stand Out 

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: 

• Masters or Ph.D. in Computer Science or a related discipline

• Understanding of RF communication fundamentals such as link budgets, lab equipment such as spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, etc.

• Familiarity with fundamentals of red-black architectures, various type-1 hardware, etc

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.  The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below.  Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills. 

(Min - Max)

$110,400 - $193,500

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change   
• Engage with Impact   
• Foster Innovation   
• Deliver Results  

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.  A few highlights include:

• 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

We are all unique, from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [email protected]. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.