Optical 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.

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!

The Integrated Sensor Design and Analysis Department (ISDAD), is seeking an Electro-Optical Engineer to join our team of scientists and engineers engaged in developing the nation’s next generation of remote sensing systems for Department of Defense and national security customers.  We are seeking an experienced Electro-Optical Engineer to lead optical system design, analysis, and testing efforts for critical national security space programs. Our projects range from short-turnaround prototypes through Class A satellites and from pre-proposal phases through on-orbit support. Design concepts, which are developed with a system focus, are analyzed against mission requirements and use cases to ensure performance meets mission needs. To determine on-orbit performance, systems are often evaluated collaboratively from an optical, thermal, and structural perspective in a concurrent engineering environment.  Our work directly influences Government acquisition decisions as well as the design, development, and fielding of world class sensing capabilities that are crucial for national defense.

The selected candidate will be required to work full time on-site at our facility in  El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Design, model, and analyze passive electro-optical airborne and space-based remote sensing systems using standard ray tracing tools (e.g., CodeV, Zemax). Systems include broadband visible and infrared systems, multi- and hyper-spectral imaging systems, and visible and infrared non-imaging (point source detection) systems

• Evaluate infrared sensor performance both theoretically and experimentally for long range acquisition under varied visual environments and illumination conditions

• Leverage sensor performance analyses to inform customers of expected sensor performance

• Design, assemble, align and test complex electro-optical sensors

• Perform stray light analysis of complex electro-optical sensor systems

• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary engineering teams (e.g., structural, thermal, and systems engineers) in a concurrent engineering environment

What You Need to be Successful – Aerospace internal title, i.e. Senior MTS Senior Member of Technical Staff

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in optics, physics, electrical engineering, or equivalent STEM discipline is required, with a minimum of five or more years of increasing, applicable professional experience in optical engineering

• Demonstrated experience performing detailed optical system design and analysis using optical ray trace code software such as CodeV or Zemax

• Strong computer programming skills (e.g., data analysis, scripting) in an engineering application environment such as MATLAB, Python, ENVI/IDL, or Mathematica

• Professional experience in passive remote sensing electro-optical system performance evaluation including radiometry, optical design and testing, and sensor performance metrics

• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work interactively and effectively with government customers and contractor personnel

• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI SSBI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

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

• Eight or more years of increasing, applicable professional experience in optical engineering

• Hands-on laboratory experience in assembling, aligning, and measuring performance metrics of electro-optical sensors

• Demonstrated technical leadership experience including leading design reviews, and guiding multi-disciplinary teams

• Proven track record of delivering optical system solutions for space-based remote sensing programs

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in optics, physics, electrical engineering, or equivalent is highly preferred and a minimum of 8 or more years of increasing, applicable professional experience in optical engineering

• Demonstrated experience conducting optical system architecture trades and link budget analysis for mission-driven applications

• Experience performing stray light analysis using tools such as FRED

• Extensive lens design experience for electro-optical remote sensing space-based systems

• Hands-on experience with optical alignment, integration, and build activities for flight hardware

• Experience supporting field tests to characterize sensor performance in various infrared bands and operational environments

• Active TS/SCI security 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)

$117,000.00 - $216,700.00Pay 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.