Sr. Signal & Image Processing and AI Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•Buckley SFB, CO

11d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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)

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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

Benefits

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