The Aerospace Corporation · Colorado Springs, CO ·
Analyzes space domain awareness systems, threats, and sensor architectures, then translates findings into actionable recommendations for national security space operations using modeling, simulation, and programming (Python, MATLAB, etc.).
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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.
Join the Enterprise Effects Division (EED) at The Aerospace Corporation, where we tackle some of the nation's most critical space challenges. Our division integrates strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise, working on everything from concept design to performance assessment of space and space-enabled systems.
We're seeking exceptional space professionals to support mission-critical analyses, operational architecture development, and strategic decision support across space domain awareness, space control, electronic warfare, directed energy effects, advanced sensors, orbit determination, position, navigation and timing, and space protection mission areas. This role combines technical analytical excellence with operational mission analyses to support the future of national security space operations.
As a Space Domain Awareness & Mission Analyst, you'll provide technical leadership and analytical support across a wide range of space security challenges operating at the intersection of operators, engineers, intelligence professionals, acquisition stakeholders, and senior government leaders. You'll provide technical leadership and analytical support, translating complex operational problems into actionable recommendations and decision-quality products that directly impact national security.
Work Model: 100% on-site in Colorado Springs, CO
What You'll Do:
Space Domain Awareness & Threat Assessment
Analyze sensor systems – Evaluate electro-optical (EO), infrared (IR), radar, and passive RF sensor concepts and architectures for space surveillance applications
Assess terrestrial and space-based sensor architectures supporting space domain awareness missions
Evaluate sensor performance, operational coverage, detection capabilities, and tracking accuracy
Analyze space surveillance network sensor operations and architecture integration
Support assessments of advanced sensor concepts for enhanced space domain awareness
Assess threats and build resilience – Conduct comprehensive risk assessments covering RF interference, optical threats, and counterspace capabilities affecting satellite operations
Analyze kinetic threats, debris environments, and collision risks to space assets
Evaluate counterspace threat capabilities and their operational impacts on satellite systems
Support space protection mission analysis and operational resilience assessments
Conduct threat-informed analysis examining contested space environments and emerging threat vectors
Modeling, Simulation & Analysis
Model and simulate – Use industry-leading tools and custom frameworks to analyze complex space scenarios, including space domain awareness coverage, tracking performance, and threat engagement timelines
Develop algorithms and analytical methods to solve emerging space domain challenges
Create computer tools and simulations to support space surveillance, space control, and space protection missions
Collaborate with modeling and simulation teams to ensure operationally relevant outputs
Support mission-thread analysis and operational experimentation for future space capabilities
Electronic Warfare & Directed Energy Effects
Analyze electronic warfare impacts on space systems and ground-based infrastructure
Evaluate directed energy effects on satellite operations and space mission capabilities
Model RF interference scenarios and assess mitigation strategies
Support passive RF collection modeling and analysis for space domain awareness applications
Leadership & Mission Integration
Lead and mentor – Support technical leads on modeling and simulation efforts while guiding early-career engineers
Drive independent studies – Lead analytical teams and provide expert assessments to government stakeholders
Translate complex technical analysis into actionable recommendations for senior decision-makers
Support strategic wargames, tabletop exercises, and operational planning activities
Serve as technical expert bridging space domain awareness operations with analytical capabilities
What You Need to be Successful: Engineering Specialist
Bachelor's degree with 8+ years of relevant experience in national security space, space operations, missile warning/defense, command and control, or related mission areas.
Master's degree or PhD in mathematics, engineering, physics, computer science, or related field
In additional to above for Senior Engineering Specialist:
Bachelor's degree with 12+ years of progressively responsible experience in space domain awareness, space control, operational analysis, mission architecture, or force design
Technical & Mission Skills
Experience in Space Domain Awareness (SDA), space control, space surveillance sensors, missile warning, missile defense, or command-and-control mission areas
Knowledge of electronic warfare and/or directed energy effects
Background in modeling, simulation, and analysis
Proficiency in at least one programming language: Python, MATLAB, C++, Java, C, or FORTRAN
Experience developing computer tools, simulations, or interpreting technical analysis outputs
Ability to assess operational implications of technical analysis, sensor architecture assessments, and threat-informed analysis
Professional Skills
Strong written and oral communication skills, including ability to brief senior government, military, and executive stakeholders
Demonstrated ability to translate complex operational problems into clear recommendations and decision products
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in fast-paced, classified, multi-organizational environments
Experience working with operators, engineers, intelligence professionals, and acquisition organizations
U.S. citizenship required (for security clearance eligibility)
Current or recent eligibility for TS/SCI access and willingness to support SAP/SAR, polygraph, or other security requirements as needed
How to Stand Out:
Active TS/SCI clearance
20+ years of operational and strategic experience across space operations, missile warning/defense, command and control, or future force design
Operational Background
Operational experience as orbit analyst, space control operator, or space operations center personnel
Air Force Weapons School graduate
Space surveillance network sensor operations background Strategic & Architecture Experience
Experience supporting future force design, operational architecture, or capability integration for U.S. Space Force, Space Warfighting Analysis Center, Space Systems Command, U.S. Space Command, Missile Defense Agency, or similar organizations
Experience supporting national-level space wargames, operational experimentation, or contested space operations analysis
Experience advising senior leaders, general officer-level staff, combatant commands, or national security space organizations
Experience supporting multinational, joint, combatant command, or interagency planning activities
Technical Specializations
Experience with EO/IR sensors, particularly for space surveillance applications
Experience assessing terrestrial and space-based sensor architectures for operational coverage and mission effectiveness
Agile software development experience with object-oriented languages
Experience working with modeling, simulation, sensor, EW/DE, algorithm, or systems engineering teams
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)
$117,300.00 - $226,900.00Pay Basis: AnnualLeadership 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:
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 [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.
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