In an era of dynamic change in space, Aerospace is addressing a generation of complex challenges. We operate the only federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) committed exclusively to the space enterprise. Our technical experts span every discipline of space-related science and engineering. Join our team and thrive in a career that matters to the world and you personally.

Responsibilities

The Electromechanical Control Department (ECD) is charged with the responsibility of providing technical support in the areas of control system hardware and algorithms for both spacecraft and launch vehicles. ECD subject matter experts specialize in key components such as gyroscopes, star trackers, encoders, motors, accelerometers, reaction wheels, fast steering mirrors, servo mechanisms, GPS receivers, thrust vector control, and others.  The department performs both technical studies and experimental investigations to support customer programs. Technical studies often involve the analysis, simulation, evaluation, or testing of control systems and their components. Experimental investigations may include controller design and implementation, data reduction and visualization, sensor and actuator performance evaluation, and electro-optical systems calibration and alignment.  Tasks may involve interaction with government customers, program management, and contractors.

Key Functions

Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and career guidance for the members of the Mechatronics Systems Modeling & Simulation section.

• Develop individual members of the section by increasing their technical abilities, key competencies, and knowledge of context through targeted work assignments, mentoring relationships, classes, and regular feedback.

• Work with department director and section managers to hire staff to meet the needs of ECD.

• Pursue potential new business opportunities and assist the department director with other supervisory tasks.

The successful applicant will be expected to be an important technical contributor to the department's core areas of responsibility - controls hardware and servomechanisms - as both an analyst and a leader of teams.

• Leads technical studies involving testing, modeling, simulation, and analysis of electromechanical control systems and components in support of various satellite or launch vehicle programs.

• Ability to apply engineering techniques, procedures, and criteria to a variety of problems.

• Written reports and oral presentations will be required, including the documentation and presentation of the design, development, execution, and results of technical studies and experimental investigations.

• Tasks may include the development of laboratory experiments, characterization of electromechanical hardware, and technical review of experimental data.

• Tasks may involve interaction with government customers, program management, and contractors.  Must be able to represent the department and sub-division during these interactions and project a professional image.

Qualifications
Required

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field or equivalent

• Minimum of 8 years of applicable professional or educational experience is required

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of customer, corporate staff, and contractors

• Relevant experience or education in laboratory experimentation, developing test strategies, experiment design, and integration and test

• A strong working knowledge of electronics, mechanical design and structures, control systems, inertial sensors and actuators

• Candidate must be able to balance technical detail and broader programmatic issues

• Selected candidate must possess a combination of analytical and experimental skills

• Proven ability to organize and lead technical tasks is essential

• Exhibits a high level of innovation, creativeness, and initiative

• The ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with higher management, program offices, customers, contractors, and colleagues is required

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

Preferred

• Advanced degree in a STEM field or equivalent

• Preference would be given to candidates with responsible-engineer-level experience (requirement definition, design and implementation, qualification and flight) on launch vehicle systems (thrust vector control, guidance systems, and/or avionics), space vehicle control systems, space vehicle payload systems, mechanical design, additive manufacturing, structural analysis, dynamics, electronic circuit design and analysis, optics, signal processing and filtering, systems engineering, real-time software development, rapid control prototyping, guidance and navigation, GPS receiver testing and associated algorithms, servo mechanism performance evaluation, small satellite development (nanosat, picosat, femtosat, cubesat), unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, UAV, drones), or robotics

• Familiarity with launch vehicle and satellite payloads and control, and their relationships to other subsystems, and to mission-level performance is desirable

• Demonstrated experience mentoring and building a product team.

• Proficiency with any of the following tools: MATLAB/Simulink, dSPACE, LabVIEW, SolidWorks, C/C++, Python

• Active Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain TS/SCI access,  which is issued by the US government

Grade-Based Pay Range

(Min - Mid - Max)

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide all the details of our industry-leading benefits and career development opportunities. A few highlights include:

• A work environment built on teamwork, flexibility and respect
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career, as well as tuition reimbursement
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans for your entire family
• Flextime and virtual work options (if applicable)
• 401(k) Savings Plan featuring a company match, regardless of whether you contribute
• Paid holidays and paid time off
• Flexible spending accounts
• Relocation assistance (if applicable)

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.