Senior Mechatronics Engineer

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 Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls, robotics, electro‑mechanical devices, embedded systems, fluid mechanics, propulsion, thermal control, orbital mechanics, mechanisms, structures, structural dynamics, and dynamic environments.

The Electromechanical Control Department (ECD) is charged with the responsibility of providing technical support in the areas of hardware used for spacecraft and launch vehicles, as well as terrestrial and aerial applications. We specialize in mission critical control sensors and actuators, including Electric Motors, Gyroscopes and IMUs, Accelerometers, Gimbals, Steering Mirrors, Encoders & Resolvers, Star Trackers, GPS Receivers, Capacitive & Inductive Sensors, Servo Mechanism, Thrust Vector Control Actuators, and Reaction Wheels.

As a Senior Mechatronics Engineer (Engineering Specialist – Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineering) in ECD, you will plan and conduct technical studies and experimental investigations to provide in‑depth technical support to government customers, program management, and contractors.

This position is located in El Segundo, CA, requiring at least 4 days onsite.

• Technical studies often involving evaluation, analysis, modeling or simulation of electromechanical systems and their components
• Clearly communicating the results of technical studies while working with both internal and external customers and stakeholders as a technical authority, consultant, primary investigator, or project leader
• Experimental investigations in the Mechatronics Research Laboratory (managed by ECD) and/or other Aerospace labs that may involve controller design and implementation, data reduction and visualization, sensor and actuator performance evaluation, and electromechanical systems calibration and alignment
• You should have strong people skills which include coaching, mentoring, training, motivating and directing employees to optimize workplace productivity and promote professional growth

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field or equivalent
• Eight years of applicable professional and/or academic experience
• Expertise in laboratory experimentation, test bed commissioning, test strategy development, experiment design, and integration and testing
• Working knowledge of electromechanical design, actuators, mechatronics, control systems, and inertial sensors applicable to spacecraft and/or launch vehicles
• Experience providing technical oversight in complex environments (multi‑program, multi‑agency) involving customers, program offices, engineering support, and contractors
• Proficiency in tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, dSPACE, LabVIEW, Solid Works, C/C++, Python
• Ability to travel up to 10% both domestically and internationally, and availability during non‑standard hours to support hardware reviews, meet contractors, and support testing
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government‑issued security clearance; U.S. citizenship is a requirement.

• Advanced degree in a STEM field or equivalent
• Substantial expertise in areas such as electromechanical interface development, spacecraft mechanisms, motors, actuators, bearings, and space…