2025 Remote Sensing System Modeling and Simulation 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.

A trusted partner. A national resource. A leader in national security space. We are THE Aerospace Corporation.  A team that takes pride in our readiness to solve some of the most complex technical challenges in existence. With challenges spanning government to commercial, you’ll have the unique opportunity to work on projects that are literally evolving our nation's space and launch capabilities. We all share a common passion and aspiration – to serve a mission much bigger than ourselves.  When you join our team, you’ll be part of a rare collection of thought leaders and game-changing innovators.  Are you ready to launch your career?

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 (DoD), intelligence community (IC), and commercial 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) within MPD is seeking an electro-optical analyst with a focus on remote sensing and physical optics modeling to join our team of scientists and engineers engaged in developing the next generation of remote sensing systems of national importance. The ISDAD team supports all aspects of advanced remote sensing system development: designing and assessing the performance of optics and electro-optical sensor systems, modeling the end-to-end sensing system, developing innovative data processing and computer vision algorithms, and producing simulated data products for new applications. Our work directly influences government architecture and acquisition decisions and assists our customer counterparts with designing, acquiring, and fielding the most advanced capabilities in the world.

Our expertise in design, modeling, simulation, and analysis are augmented by sophisticated in-house laboratories and enable unique approaches to solving the hardest technical problems.

Work Model 

Hybrid: This position will be a hybrid work model and offer partially remote with primarily onsite work required in El Segundo, CA,

What You’ll Be Doing

• Supporting the national space enterprise on a wide variety of projects, from rapid-development prototypes through Class A satellites, and from pre-proposal phases through on-orbit support.

• Leveraging commercial, government sponsored, and in-house software tools to perform rigorous modeling and simulation of earth remote sensing, absolute and relative radiometry, wavefront propagation and sensing, diffraction effects, stray light and thermal self-emission for the performance analysis and prediction of passive electro-optical sensor systems including visible and infrared radiometers, imagers, hyper- and multi-spectral imaging radiometers.

• Supporting the development of new remote sensing concepts with modeling and simulation, including the development of technical performance requirements and in the assessment of proposed designs.

• Working independently and collaborating with senior staff and department management to solve challenging technical problems. 

• Communicate technical insights and strategic recommendations to government leaders and key stakeholders to drive informed decision-making for system acquisition and architecture

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Master’s degree from an accredited university in optics, physics, astronomy, electrical engineering, or another related discipline, pursuing or conferred within the last / next 12 months

• 0-1 year of industry work

• Academic experience performing physics-based modeling and simulation

• Experience using a common processing language (e.g. MATLAB, Python, IDL, C/C++, Fortran)

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

• Willing to travel domestically approx. 10%.

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

• Transcripts required.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• PhD from an accredited university in optics, physics, electrical engineering, or another related discipline.

• Specific academic / laboratory experience performing electro-optical specific system modeling and simulation

• Demonstrated team leadership experience and mentoring of junior staff.

• Additional knowledge and familiarity with one or more of the following:

  • Using common codes to calculate atmospheric transmission and apparent radiation as it relates to electro-optical radiometry (e.g. MODTRAN).

  • Analyzing the performance of passive remote sensing electro-optical visible and infrared sensors, including topics such as: earth and space visible and infrared phenomenology, atmospheric radiative transfer, adaptive optics, wavefront propagation and sensing, diffraction effects, detection theory, and sensor performance metrics.

  • Phase retrieval techniques for optical system analysis

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)

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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.