Engineering Manager, Attitude Estimation and Calibration

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 Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly-trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments. 

The Control Analysis Department (CAD) performs satellite attitude and payload pointing control system analysis support for a wide variety of space programs ranging from pathfinding CubeSats with prototype payloads and weighing a few kilograms total, all the way to the more exquisite GPS constellation upon which countless users rely every day.  In today’s rapidly evolving space environment, our department leverages both heritage and state-of-the-art knowledge, tools, and techniques in the areas of space vehicle attitude control, dynamics, and estimation and payload pointing, while also researching and applying methods from emerging and related topics such as artificial intelligence and robotics, to solve new and increasingly challenging problems. We are looking for a Section Manager in CAD to lead a small team of engineers within the department, working closely with internal and external stakeholders to support all phases of a program lifecycle: conceptual studies, prototyping, source selection, development, and operations.  

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA., requiring 4-5 days onsite per week.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing technical and strategic guidance and mentoring to the members of the Attitude Estimation and Calibration section of CAD

• Performing spacecraft and payload control system related tasks in the following areas: concept development, trade studies, risk assessments, design analyses, simulation development, test planning, data analysis, operations support, and anomaly resolution

• Working with section staff, management team, and customers to coordinate technical activities, report progress, resolve technical issues, and assure project success

• Providing regular feedback to staff and conducting performance reviews

• Promoting the creation and use of new tools to sustain and advance section and department expertise

• Preparing written and verbal reports of the group’s activities, issues, and accomplishments for higher management, subordinates, and teaming organizations

• Identifying opportunities for additional, expanded, and new business. Assisting higher management in the evaluation and pursuit of new opportunities

• Recommending staffing needs and changes, implementing operating policies and practices, and recommending improvements to higher management

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Graduate degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related STEM field, with a focus on controls, dynamics, estimation, or a related specialty

• Expertise in one or more of the following: spacecraft control systems engineering, control system design and analysis, estimation theory, or advanced dynamics

• 5 or more years of increasingly responsible professional engineering experience

• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or a related language

• Team or project leadership experience

• Experience delivering technical presentations and writing technical documentation

• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, 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:

• Active TS/SCI security clearance

• Experience providing guidance, navigation, and control technical support for a flight program

• Proficiency with one or more of the following:

  • Spacecraft attitude determination and control

  • Control and estimation applied to rendezvous and proximity operations

  • Payload pointing estimation and control 

  • Advanced control techniques and applications  

  • Kalman filtering and stochastic processes 

  • Modeling and simulation of control systems 

  • Multibody and flexible body dynamics 

  • Implementation, testing, deploying, and calibration of control systems

  • Cubesat or smallsat attitude determination and control design and operations 

  • Special topics including, but not limited to - robotics, computer vision, image processing, artificial intelligence, machine learning

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)

$134,200.00 - $201,300.00

Pay 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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.