Communications and Signal Processing Engineer, Engineering Specialist / Sr. Engineering Specialist

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.

The Communication Technologies and Engineering Division (CTED) represents the disciplines of communications, networking, and PNT (Position, Navigation, and Timing) in support of space missions, along with their enabling technologies. In our domain, CTED projects comprise all aspects, from architectures to prototypes to implementation, theoretical to hands-on.  Our engineers work directly with corporate and U.S. Government customers to ensure robust and resilient communications. 

In this role as a Communications and Signal Processing Engineer (Aerospace Engineering Specialist or Senior Engineering Specialist), you will be an integral part of the Communications and Signal Analysis Department (CSAD) within CTED.  We are looking for technically versatile and agile professionals to support a variety of initiatives involving algorithm development, analysis, modeling, simulation, prototyping and IV&V of advanced next generation communication and wideband collection systems, with an emphasis on satellite-based payloads, systems and related processing.  The technical emphasis of the many projects we support range from baseband digital processing, radio wave transmission/propagation, receiver signal processing, link performance and emitter geolocation.  Within CSAD, we value the continuous development of staff technical and professional skills, to encourage employee career growth, technical contributions, and customer program impact across the national security intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (IS&R) enterprise.

Work Model:  This position is 100% on-site in Chantilly, VA with little to no teleworking available, due to the classified nature of the work we perform.

What You’ll Be Doing 

·        Supporting the proof-of-concept, development, IV&V and acquisition of advanced communications and signal collection / processing systems, including emitter geolocation

·        Initiating, leading and performing technical studies, including the coordination of tasking, leading of teams and interfacing with multiple stakeholders

·        Supporting our Civil, DoD and intelligence community customers with primary support to the National Reconnaissance Office

·        Acting as the organization’s designated representative at technical meetings, presentations and symposia

·        Depending on candidate skills and interests, along with the needs of our customers, the successful applicant may be assigned work as part of our technical matrix, either in an Aerospace facility or assigned to support a customer program office.  Examples of work assignments include:

·        Analysis, modeling and simulation of communication systems to demonstrate advanced concepts and/or to validate capabilities, utilizing MATLAB and/or Python

·        Signal processing of data collected by sensors to demonstrate and verify new capabilities and supporting related customer R&D projects.  This would be in a Linux environment utilizing MATLAB and/or Python

·        Supporting an assigned customer program office in the advanced development and acquisition of new capabilities

What You Need to be Successful – Engineering Specialist

Minimum Requirements:

·        Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline

·        Eight or more years of related experience in advanced communications and signal processing, including modeling and simulation, hardware implementation effects and imperfections, modulation and coding, link performance, and digital signal processing

·        Willing to travel domestically as required, typically < 10% of the time

·        Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required.

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Senior Engineering Specialist:

·        Twelve or more years of related experience in communications and signal processing

·        A demonstrated ability to define and initiate projects, lead technical teams, success