Space Enterprise Optimization Specialist

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.

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, an Engineering Specialist (Engineering Integration – Modeling and Simulation Engineering) 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. 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.

This is a full‑time position based in El Segundo, CA;
Chantilly, VA; 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.

• Serving as key technical expert and point of contact for department projects in the area of space architecture design and optimization, trade space exploration, and vehicle design
• 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
• Supporting department growth by technical mentoring of junior staff members in one or more department capability areas
• Occasional travel to support customer efforts

• B.S. degree in aerospace, astronautical, or mechanical engineering, physics, operations research, mathematics, or a related field of science or engineering
• 6 or more years of relevant and progressive professional or academic experience
• Expertise in one or more of the following: optimization techniques, satellite constellation design, orbital mechanics, mathematics related to satellite access geometry, or space vehicle design
• Experience with modeling and simulation tools in support of architecture assessment, analysis of alternatives, constellation design and optimization, orbital analysis, network design, or space security and defenseli>
• Significant history of consistent contribution to multiple substantial technical analytical or development…