Optical Coatings Materials Scientist- Senior Member of Technical Staff / Research Scientist

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.

Job Summary 

The Aerospace Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL) is a diverse scientific organization that provides a broad and innovative research and development backplane for a growing space enterprise. PSL’s impact is grown through a diverse research portfolio that blends foundational scientific research with cutting-edge technology development to serve a broad customer base. PSL’s exclusive ability to work with all stakeholders: (government, industry, and academia) enables us to provide novel solutions to the most challenging issues in current and future technology applications. The strength of PSL comes from the combination of cutting-edge tools and facilities, a vast repository of space-system knowledge, and the extensive technical expertise of our people. We harness these tools and expertise in over 150 different laboratories to tackle the new challenges for the space enterprise.  

The Materials Processing Department (MPD) in the Space Materials Laboratory (SML) in PSL provides expertise in advanced materials processing, thin films, optical coatings and materials, and space environmental effects on materials for advanced space systems. MPD hosts an interdisciplinary team working across materials science, optics, and engineering to design, manufacture, and test optical materials and coatings for space applications and provides technical support to national security space programs in these areas. We are seeking an Optical Coatings Materials Scientist – Senior Member of Technical Staff / Research Scientist to conduct and lead materials synthesis and characterization, failure analysis and anomaly resolution, and applied research in optical coatings, thin films, and optical materials for space applications. The ideal candidate will provide subject matter expertise in materials and thin films synthesis and characterization, collaborate across disciplines, and is expected to contribute meaningfully and directly to research and program support activities in these areas. 

Work Model  

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA, which requires 100% onsite work.  

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Conduct and lead basic and applied research in thin films and optical materials in support of SMC, NRO, NASA, and civil and commercial space programs 
• Provide subject matter expertise in structure-property-processing relationships related to fabrication, testing, modeling, characterization, and analysis of optical coatings, thin films, and optical materials for National Security Space (NSS) programs
• Write proposals to seek internal and external research funding in these and associated areas
• Develop innovative diagnostic methods for measuring optical and thermal performance of materials and for characterizing the thin film deposition environment
• Collaborate as part of a team in ongoing research programs by performing state-of-the-art investigations on optical coatings and optical materials for space applications