Sr. Signal & Image Processing and AI 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.

The Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers' portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

As a Sr. Signal & Image Processing and Artificial Intelligence Engineer working in a Program Office role, you will be directly supporting the Operational customer in their deep technical analysis of OPIR Mission Data and acting as an advocate in their adoption of new technology and algorithms. This role is in direct support of the US Gov't's Tools, Analysis and Processing Lab in their mission to provide forward looking Research and Development, along with insertion of that new technology into Operations. Though we'll use whatever new technology best works, our current focus is in improving Mission through application of AIML. We, and this role specifically, are at the front lines of addressing the R&D "Valley of Death" in bringing new technologies and applications from proofs-of-concept and proto-type to real-world operations. We need daily on-site help and advocacy in bridging the gap between the R&D acquirer and Operational customer. You will need to understand current Operations, and TAP Lab R&D, as well as being able to communicate the efforts being done to improve them. Additionally, you will perform event support activities and detailed analysis for things occurring beyond the operational system's capabilities, that support occurs even as you work to expand system capabilities. You will also directly impact the transition from algorithms to models. This unique role exists where OPIR Mission Data Processing, Research and Development and real-world Operations intersect. This work happens only at Aerospace - there is nothing else like it.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Aurora, CO. Some local travel to Boulder, CO and occasionally Colorado Springs is also expected.

What You'll Be Doing

• Supporting Operations by providing deep OPIR mission data processing knowledge for cases outside normal
• Provide mission data processing support to for external agencies, including non-traditional event, rare or priority event analysis.
• Professionally answer a lot of Data Exploitation of questions
• Supporting research and development of new AIML tools, applications, and processing for overhead persistent infrared processing
• Advance new ground and processing technologies to support Operations, with a focus on use of AI/ML for those areas
• An Innovation and New Technology Advocate as well as Early Adopter mindset is required, as you will be on the very front of usage for new technology inbound to the missile warning community
• Support the advancement of OPIR mission from the very front

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements - Senior Project Engineer - Signal & Image Process Engineering and Artificial Intelligence:

• Bachelor's and/or master's degree in aerospace engineering, astronautical engineering, computer science, data science or relevant technical field such as astronomy or physics.
• At least twelve years of professional experience exploiting image/OPIR Mission Data Processing
• Significant Experience with Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Missile Warning, Missile Tracking mission areas, with a heavy focus on the understanding of Mission Data
• Understanding of Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and its application to Mission Data Processing / Data Exploitation
• Willingness and ability to regularly support outside of typical business hours, including nights, weekends, holidays
• Mental focus & discipline, meaning an ability to function in your work while present on an Operations floor with other unrelated activities going on
• This position requires a current Top Secret security clearance with appropriate SCI, which is issued by the US Government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
• Capability and willingness to travel locally (mainly between Boulder and Aurora)

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Track record of cross-agency collaboration to include NASA, NGA and USSF
• Doctorate degree in a STEM area, preferably satellite sensor processing
• Experience in Flight Mechanics and/or Remote Sensing that can augment OPIR
• Significant understanding of Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Missile Warning, Missile Tracking mission areas, to include prior experience as an OPIR Operator/Analyst
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, exciting environment with rapidly evolving, competing priorities
• Demonstrated experience in coding image processing algorithms with C and/or Python
• Demonstrated effectiveness with onsite gov't customers, with limited supervision
• Demonstrated capability to work in a highly dynamic Program Office environment with a mix of Government, FFRDC, SETA, and vendor personnel

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 equalopportunity 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,geneticinformation, 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 emailat peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org .You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.