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.
The Aerospace Corporation’s Experiment Lab, xLab, develops prototypes, instruments, pathfinders, and demonstration systems to address our customers’ hardest problems at the speed of need. We engage with our customers to conceptualize innovative solutions and deliver impactful products for ground and space and everything in between. We are looking for engineers with a passion for design, a commitment to teamwork and a desire to help xLab make a difference to today’s challenges.
You will lead the design of embedded digital electronics systems for space and ground-based prototypes. You will work with customers and teammates to create conceptual designs, define system requirements, create Printed Circuit Board (PCB) designs, and test the completed hardware. This is a full-time hybrid work-model position located in El Segundo, CA.
Work Model: Hybrid, 3 days in the office per week, depending on business needs.
What You’ll Be Doing
Our team develops advanced space and ground-based prototypes to help solve our customer’s toughest problems
This is a leadership role, with responsibility for system development through the entire design lifecycle
In this role you will also assist with developing strategies for enhancing team capabilities and productivity in embedded system design and test
Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed
What You Need to be Successful – Engineering Specialist
Minimum Requirements:
Bachelors degree from an accredited program in Electrical or Computer Engineering
Eight or more years related experience including designing FPGA and embedded systems hardware
Familiarity with standard electrical interfaces: RS232/RS422 (UART), SPI, i2C, USB, ethernet, SpaceWire, eSATA, and/or PCIe
Expertise in PCB design involving FPGAs, SoCs and microprocessors, including schematic capture, layout best practices and design for test
Working knowledge of ARM, PIC, and/or Xilinx Zynq/Microblaze processors
Strong working knowledge of FPGAs and FPGA SoCs
This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is to obtain a security clearance
In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for Senior Engineering Specialist include:
Twelve or more years of related experience including FPGA and embedded systems hardware design
Design leadership in space flight electronics design and test
Proven presentation skills relating to technical concepts and decisions
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have experience in one or more of these areas:
CubeSat or small satellite design
Siemens eCAD tools (PADS Standard Plus or Expedition)
Testing and verifying complex or high-speed (1GHz+) SoCs
Designing for radiation
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 - $226,900 Pay 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 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.