Software Engineer (Engineering 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.

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.

Job Summary

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; orbital mechanics; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments.

The Vehicle Engineering and Integration Department (VEID) is part of VSD, the premier satellite and launch vehicle technical organization within the Aerospace Corporation. The Vehicle Modeling and Simulation Section within VEID is responsible for implementing multi-disciplinary analytical models and developing software tools required to execute the desired analyses with respect to satellite, ground, and launch vehicle development and operations.

This is a unique role within the Vehicle Modeling and Simulation Section, part of Aerospace’s Vehicle Systems Division, where you will be directly supporting a customer effort to stand up a space vehicle emulation laboratory capability. We are seeking a Software Engineer (Engineering Specialist - Modeling & Simulation and Systems Software Engineering) who has outstanding technical and programming skills, an understanding of physics/physical hardware systems, is inquisitive and motivated to learn, and has uncompromising integrity and objectivity.

Work Model

This is a full-time position primarily based in the Chantilly, VA area with some consideration given to remote work for strong candidates. All candidates considered must be willing to travel on a regular basis (1-2x per week) to Dahlgren, VA. Mileage will be covered for distances in excess of normal office commute to Chantilly. Lodging will be covered as needed on a semi-regular non-recurring basis.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Support the stand up of a customer emulation laboratory including both hardware-in-the-loop and satellite simulation development support
• Support the acquisition of satellite emulation hardware and software both evaluating and working closely with external providers of hardware and software capabilities
• Work closely in a team environment to stand up this lab capability and provide Aerospace leadership in guiding technical approach for the customer and bringing in Subject Matter Expert reach back support from across Aerospace to the customer
• Part time work in support of VSD, VEID, and Vehicle Modeling and Simulation Section distributed simulation activities and other satellite emulation work for other customers across Aerospace
• Port scientific and engineering code, calculations, and algorithms from technical documents, Matlab, Python, and Excel to Java based software. Interface C, C++, and Fortran codes together into tool chains or distributed simulation frameworks
• Participate in multi-disciplinary teams to solve complex and challenging mod/sim problems. You may need to advise and mentor staff with little or no software engineering background
• Maintain and enhance Java-based distributed simulation frameworks with multi-threaded architectures and develop new distributed simulation federates, pre- and post-simulation data processing, and visualization tools to support program office and government customers
• Develop analytic tools and integrate tool chains to support studies for future satellite systems and architectures and interface with small satellite hardware, software and system emulators
• Mentor junior staff and bringing in external projects into the department
  
  

What You Need To Be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Engineering Specialist - Modeling & Simulation and Systems Software Engineering

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or an Engineering discipline with experience in software engineering and development of technical and scientific software is required
• A minimum of 6 years of experience in a Software Engineering/Development and/or Engineering role also involved with Software Engineering/Development is required
• Experience working closely in a multi-disciplinary team environment, providing guidance and technical leadership on software development best practices
• Sound communication skills with an ability to explain software engineering processes, activities, architectures and designs, technologies, and operations to staff and customers with limited software engineering background
• Knowledge of industry best practices for satellite emulation architectures including simulation software tools and in-house capabilities as well as hardware-in-the-loop, flatsat, and ground support equipment (GSE) setups
• Knowledge of physics-based space simulations and/or how to implement physics-based simulations in a well-defined software architecture
• Proficiency in Java with strong Object-Oriented design and development skill and background in multithreaded, multi-processor, networked and distributed systems and architectures
• Sufficient knowledge of, or willingness to learn, C, C++, FORTRAN and Matlab to extract or port critical code, familiarity with publish-subscribe architectures, Python and JSON and XML files often used for data exchange and API definitions
• Performance engineering experience focused on software runtime and efficiency including CPU utilization and memory usage
• Experience employing Agile, Scrum and/or Waterfall practices, methodologies, and techniques in the development of production, R&D, and/or prototype scientific, engineering, and technical software
• Prior experience leading small (2-4 person) team or willingness to grow into such a role
• This position requires a current and active Top Secret/SCI security clearance with the ability to obtain additional SAP clearances, 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:

• Prior direct experience with satellite simulation and emulation systems is preferred
• Knowledge of military or space systems such as sensors, guidance navigation and control (GNC), communications systems, or orbital mechanics is strongly desired
• Experience with hardware-software interfacing and communications, or embedded systems including implementation of Electronic Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) for use in testing
• Prior experience directly interfacing with government customers and contractor teams
• Distributed simulation experience is preferred
• Knowledge of HLA, DIS, TENA, and other distributed simulation frameworks, and communications frameworks such as ActiveMQ, DDS, and Kafka
• Experience with graphics and presentation API’s such as Dash, Worldwind, OpenGL, Matplotlib
• Strong background in C, C++, Swing, AWT, or JavaFX
  
  

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)

$117,300 - $175,900

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 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.