Senior Vehicle Software 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 Vehicle Systems Software Department (VSSD) focuses on flight computers, flight software, cubesat development, and embedded system architecture while supporting a variety of independent R&D efforts in robotics, automation, and distributed systems. Our multidisciplinary staff provides technical oversight throughout the vehicle and flight software development process, from requirements definition to day-of-launch and on-orbit operations.  We develop high-fidelity closed-loop hardware and software testbeds to test the software, and to assess its readiness for flight.  In addition, we develop and test real-time embedded software for picosats, drones, and other emerging technologies.

We are looking for a Senior Vehicle Software Engineer (Senior Engineering Specialist - Multidisciplinary Guidance Navigation & Control) with technical expertise on topics related to real-time vehicle software and embedded software design, development, and testing.  In addition, s/he will be expected to provide technical mentoring and will facilitate and encourage the culture of innovation within the department, ensuring the capabilities and expertise needed to support The Aerospace Corporation's current and future customers. 

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA., requiring at least 4 days onsite.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing technical expertise and analysis on flight/embedded software systems for national security space and commercial space programs.

• Contributing to key flight software development processes, such as preliminary and critical design reviews, requirements definition, and qualification testing.

• Support development of software-in-the-loop platforms, hardware-in-the-loop platforms, interface modeling, simulation architectures, and mission support.

• Act as the technical expert on flight/embedded software systems for multi-disciplinary projects that span across organizations.

• Advise on ways to strengthen the department’s capabilities in the following focus areas: avionics and/or emulated avionics hardware-in-the-loop simulation; software-in-the-loop simulation; simulated vehicle environments and dynamics; flight code validation; anomaly identification and resolution; common hardware/software interfaces; and other emerging embedded architecture and design concepts.

• Provide technical leadership/mentorship to team members.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field or equivalent

• 10+ years of applicable professional or academic experience in flight and/or embedded software systems

• Experience and ability to keep up with the state-of-the-art in flight and embedded systems software practices and hardware advancements

• Experience as a leading contributor to multidisciplinary teams

• Experience writing technical reports and giving technical presentations

• 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.

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Advanced degree in a STEM field or equivalent

• Familiarity in tracking or monitoring critical support technologies related to flight and/or embedded software, simulation, and software testing is a big plus

• Strong knowledge in launch vehicle and