2025 Sensor Performance and Data Processing 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 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 Electronics and Sensors Division (ESD) is a world-class engineering and scientific leader in electronics and remote sensing systems. Our staff includes subject matter experts across a broad range of disciplines including radio frequency; infrared; visible and spectral sensors; sensor exploitation methods; analog and digital electronics; vehicle power systems; and space system electronic parts, materials, and processes. Our expertise, combined with sophisticated in-house laboratories, prototyping, modeling, and simulation capabilities, enables ESD to deliver innovative solutions to national space systems and civil customers. 

The Radar Processing and Analysis Department (RPAD) resides within ESD and is in Chantilly, VA and teams on multiple projects with its sister organization in ESD, the Radar and Signal Systems Department (RSSD) in El Segundo, CA.  We specialize in solving technical challenges covering Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) image formation processing, Space and Ground Radar system modeling (antenna modeling, transmit and receive chain modeling, etc.), Moving Target Indication (MTI), maritime surveillance, electronic warfare, signal processing, and algorithm development for advanced SAR image products. 

The Sensor Modeling and Simulation Department (SMSD) team supports all aspects of advanced remote sensing system development: designing and assessing the performance of optics and electro-optical focal plane arrays, modeling the end-to-end sensing system, simulating target scenes and atmospheres, developing innovative data processing and computer vision algorithms, and producing simulated data products for new applications.  Our expertise, combined with sophisticated in-house laboratories and prototyping capabilities, enables SMSD to deliver innovative solutions to national space systems and civil customers.

We are looking for Sensor Performance and Data Processing Engineers to grow our department of highly skilled technical specialists. Join us today and become a part of a culture of innovation, growth, technical excellence, and significant contributions to our nation’s capabilities!

Work Model: This is a mostly onsite role, requiring 4 days/week onsite in Chantilly, VA

What You’ll Be Doing

• Applying simulation and analysis tools and techniques for applications scene simulation, image chain modeling, change detection and tracking, product quality metrics, and/or data simulation.

• Applying best practices for modeling & simulation software development to augment existing software capabilities.

• Creating and evolving image formation processors to improve product quality and investigate innovative applications of advanced remote sensing products. 

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum requirements include:

• BS degree in Remote Sensing, Imaging Science, Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, Atmospheric Science, Computer Science, Optical or Electrical Engineering, or another related discipline pursuing or conferred within last 12 months.

• Strong scientific programming skills in at least one of: Python, C++, Matlab, IDL, etc.

• Strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance with Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) with Counterintelligence (CI) polygraph for Top Secret/SCI access, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Experience with signal and/or image processing of remote sensing data

• Synthetic scene generation (with tools such as DIRSIG or Unreal Engine).

• Electro-optical or radar system modeling, simulation, design, data processing, calibration, characterization, phenomenology, or applications.

• Computation of sensor performance figures of merit (e.g., SNR, NESR).

• Evaluation of sensor hardware performance.

• Modeling atmospheric radiative transfer effects (with tools such as MODTRAN).

• Agile software development and Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence).

• Experience with space-based systems.

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 diverse 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/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. 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 ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.