Senior Laser Communications Technologist

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.
At the Mission Payloads Division (MPD), we are pioneers in remote sensing systems that guide our country's space enterprise. Our talented and dynamic people create and flourish in electronics, sensors, radar, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced data network domains. We boldly advance technology through our research and development and then forward to demonstration and integration. With innovative laboratories and prototyping, MPD delivers groundbreaking results. We guide our Department of Defense, intelligence community, and civil clients to enhance national productivity and security and tackle the most critical missions. Bring your intelligence and creative spirit and join us at MPD!
We are seeking to hire a laser communications systems engineer (Senior Engineering Specialist) to join the Optical Communications Department. The Optical Communications Department provides technical leadership to US Government activities that involve laser communications (lasercom). We support programs and activities from initial concept and requirements development through technology maturation, risk reduction, engineering, manufacturing, production, deployment and sustainment phases. The Optical Communications Department works with corporate customers to ensure robust and resilient optical SATCOM solutions are available and best-suited to augmenting space-enabled missions.
Work Model:This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA, offering a hybrid work model that combines 3-4 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as business needs allow.
What You'll Be Doing

• Provide expertise in support of prototyping, test, and evaluation of optical ground stations and subsystems for space to ground and ground to space laser communication
  • Evaluate various atmospheric turbulence mitigation strategies for laser communications including adaptive optics, multi-aperture combining, and interleaving
  • Demonstrate adaptive optic correction for representative atmospheric profiles using hardware along with modeling and simulation
  • Performing detailed system architecture designs for optical ground stations for space to space and space to ground links
• Develop testbeds that include adaptive optical systems, laser transmitter and receivers, pointing acquisition and track for a variety of communication waveforms
• Innovate solutions to solve capability gaps in laser communication

What You Need to be Successful - Senior Engineering Specialist
Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university program in electrical engineering, physics or closely related discipline
• Twelve or more years of increasingly responsible related professional engineering/scientific experience, including multi-disciplinary systems engineering and/or program management environments
• Demonstrated knowledge of laser communication systems, atmospheric propagation and adaptive optics hardware implementation
• Current Secret or Top Secret clearance with SSBI or periodic reinvestigation completed within the last 5 years that resulted in clearance granted or maintained

How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Advanced degree from an accredited program in electrical engineering, physics or closely related discipline
• Optical laser communication ground station experience
• Demonstrated space laser communication experience
• Adaptive optics implementation experience
• Active TS/SCI/Q Clearance

We offer a competitive compensation package where you'll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.
(Min - Max)
$166,400 - $249,600
Pay Basis: Annual
Leadership Competencies
Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change
• Engage with Impact
• Foster Innovation
• Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees
During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.
Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan - Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs
• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various 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.
Equal Opportunity Commitment
The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you're an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.