2025 Space Enterprise Optimization Analyst

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 Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.

Are you excited about applying innovative optimization and analysis techniques to problems of national importance? If so, consider joining the Space Enterprise Design and Optimization Department (SEDOD) at The Aerospace Corporation. We bring to bear expertise in a wide variety of fields to tackle tough problems and explore novel ideas, directly impacting the future of the space enterprise. We focus on the modeling, analysis, and optimization of orbits, communications, satellite access, and space system performance. We are searching for engineers, mathematicians, and scientists to grow our department of highly skilled technical specialists. Join us today and become a part of a culture that promotes innovation, growth, and technical excellence!

SEDOD is part of the Systems Engineering Division (SED). SED provides unmatched experience in systems engineering to the U.S. government and to numerous public and private agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, consortia, and commercial companies involved in the advanced application of space technology. From systems architecture development to system analysis and optimization, astrodynamics, orbital debris, navigation, failure analysis, mission assurance, cost and schedule assessment, and economic market analysis, SED exploits an incredibly broad array of engineering and business disciplines against a diverse and dynamic portfolio of programs and national challenges.

As part of SEDOD and SED, a member of our technical staff will employ and develop sophisticated simulation tools to perform space and ground design, optimization, and analysis in support of architecture concept trade studies, requirements verification, analyses-of-alternatives, and performance modeling. This staff member will act as a technical expert for a portfolio of high-impact projects, in addition to working on teams and collaborating with other analysts to expand their domain knowledge.

Work Model:

This position is 100% onsite at one of the three major Aerospace Corporation locations with a strong preference of Chantilly, VA. Alternative locations include Colorado Springs, CO or El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Independently and collaboratively conducting deep dives, trade studies, and assessments to define and address customer needs
• Applying concurrent engineering methods to support the design of space missions at the intersection of constellation design, orbital mechanics, and payload development, aiding multidisciplinary teams with the technical feasibility of future space missions and new spacecraft concepts
• Leveraging in-house and commercial- and government-off-the-shelf engineering analysis tools to deliver technical insights through analytical deep dives, trade studies, and assessments in department focus areas
• Contributing to the development of analysis software tools and actively pursuing opportunities to enhance and improve existing simulation and analysis capabilities for a wide range of customers
• Developing and presenting timely and technically accurate presentations and reports that clearly communicate analysis results and provide recommended solutions to technical leads, management, and customers
• Building and maintaining a strong base of customers and collaborators for the department through effective working relationships with cross-organization partners, government customers, and contractor teammates

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Astronautical, or Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Operations Research, Mathematics, or a related field of science or engineering from an accredited college/university program and to be conferred within 12 months 
• 0 – 1 year of industry experience
• Experience with constellation design, orbital mechanics, or mathematics related to satellite access geometry
• Knowledge of Python, C, C++, MATLAB, or another programming language
• This po