Senior Engineering Specialist
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 typically involve interaction with government customers, program management, and contractors.
Key Functions
Support multiple programs and work independently with both internal and external customers as a technical authority, consultant, primary investigator, or project leader.
Provide technical expertise in the area of electromechanical control systems.
Provide oversight, guidance, and technical advice on customer projects, which may include specialized analytical and experimental studies for spacecraft and launch vehicle control system hardware.
Verify contractor designs, approaches, and overall system performance.
Qualifications
Required
Bachelor's degree in a STEM field or equivalent
Minimum of 12 years of applicable professional or educational experience is required
Relevant experience 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
Experience with spacecraft and/or launch vehicle control hardware
Experience providing technical support in multi-program, multi-agency environments with government program office personnel, engineering support, and contractors
Experience training and mentoring less experienced technical staff
The ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with higher management, program offices, customers, contractors, and colleagues is required
Willingness to occasionally travel and to work off-business hours to support customer needs
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
Preferred
Advanced degree in a STEM field or equivalent
15 or more years of increasingly responsible professional experience
Demonstrated ability to provide innovative solutions to challenging technical problems
Preference would be given to candidates with significant experience in system engineering (requirement definition, design and implementation, qualification, and flight), 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, 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. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
Grade-Based Pay Range
(Min - Mid - Max)
$117,027 - $192,281 - $267,534
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.