Space Optimization Analyst

Position: 2026 Space Optimization Analyst
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.

Job Description

The Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace's strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a wide-ranging and dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities.

The Space Enterprise Design and Optimization Department (SEDOD) is in EED's Enterprise Design Subdivision (EDS). We bring to bear expertise in a wide variety of fields to tackle tough problems and explore novel ideas, focusing on the performance modeling, analysis, and optimization of orbits, mission architectures, and acquisition portfolios to inform the future of the national space enterprise.

As part of SEDOD and EDS, a member of our technical staff will employ and develop sophisticated simulation tools to perform space and ground design, optimization, and analysis in support of architecture concept trade studies, requirements verification, analyses-of-alternatives, and performance modeling. Additionally, this staff member will leverage optimization techniques to enable our customers to make data-driven decisions regarding portfolio composition, budget planning, and commercial purchasing.

They will act as a technical expert for a portfolio of high-impact projects, in addition to working on teams and collaborating with other analysts to expand their domain knowledge.

Work Model

This is a full-time position based in Chantilly, VA;
El Segundo, CA; or Colorado Springs, CO, offering an in-person work model that combines 4 or more regular onsite workdays per week and remote flexibility as the business needs allow.

What You'll Be Doing

* Independently and collaboratively conducting deep dives, trade studies, and assessments to define and address customer needs in the areas of space architecture design and optimization, trade space exploration, and portfolio analysis

* Leveraging in-house and commercial- and government-off-the-shelf engineering analysis tools to deliver technical insights through analytical deep dives, trade studies, and assessments in department focus areas

* Contributing to the development of analysis software tools and actively pursuing opportunities to enhance and improve existing simulation and analysis capabilities for a wide range of customers

* Developing and presenting timely and technically accurate presentations and reports that clearly communicate analysis results and provide recommended solutions to technical leads, management, and customers

* Building and maintaining a strong base of customers and collaborators for the department through effective working relationships with cross-organization partners, government customers, and contractor teammates

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

* MS degree in aerospace, astronautical, or mechanical engineering, physics, operations research, mathematics, or a related field of science or engineering (pursuing or conferred within last 12 months)

* 0-1 year of industry work experience

* Experience with constellation design, orbital mechanics, or mathematics related to satellite access geometry

* Knowledge of Python, C, C++, MATLAB, or another programming language

* Ability to support multiple programs and/or activities, acting as a technical contributor across both individual and broader team efforts

* This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance with CI polygraph, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

* Transcripts required with this position

How You Can Stand Out

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

* Familiarity with one of these specific national security space or intelligence mission areas: geo-spatial intelligence, signals intelligence, space surveillance, space protection, ground systems, or communications infrastructure

* Background in one or more of the following areas: optimization techniques, genetic algorithms, space mission design, satellite constellation performance modeling, satellite orbit access analysis, simulation development, or payload/bus design

* Experience working independently on creating, executing, and debugging modeling and simulation tools

* Current TS/SCI access with a current CI…