Modeling and Simulation Software Engineer

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 Department (VED) is part of VSD, the premier satellite and launch vehicle technical organization within the Aerospace Corporation. We are seeking a Modeling and Simulation Software Engineer 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 The Vehicle Modeling and Analysis Section within VED 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 full-time position based in Chantilly, VA with remote consideration or the El Segundo, CA, location for strong candidates.

What You'll Be Doing

• Develop advanced, high-performance, production-quality modeling and simulation (M&S) and analysis software to support program office and government customers

• Participate in full software development life cycle including subsequent required maintenance activities

• Collaborate with other developers to design and optimize code and assist in the creation of technical documentation and user guides

• Port scientific and engineering code, calculations, and algorithms from technical documents, MATLAB, Python, and Excel to Java based software and interface legacy C, C++, and Fortran codes together into tool chains or distributed simulation frameworks

• Participate in cross-disciplinary teams to solve in complex and challenging problems.You will need to guide, advise, instruct, 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

• 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

• Develop and modify algorithms to enhance simulation capabilities

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

Sr. Member of Technical Staff

• Bachelor's or graduate degree from an accredited program in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Physics, or an Engineering discipline with experience in software engineering and development of technical and scientific software

• Typically, a minimum of (5) years of experience in a Software Engineering role

• Proficiency in Java with strong Object-Oriented design and development skill and background in multithreaded, multi-processor, networked and distributed systems and architectures.

• Working knowledge of Java GUI API's or willingness to learn

• 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

• 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

• 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

• This position requires 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.

Engineering Specialist

Same requirements as a Sr. Member of Technical Staff noted above, in addition to:

• Typically, a minimum of (8) years of experience in a Software Engineering role

• Prior experience leading small (2-4) teams or willingness to grow into such a role

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

Sr. Member of Technical Staff or Engineering Specialist

• Knowledge of HLA, DIS, TENA, and other distributed simulation frameworks, and communications frameworks such as ActiveMQ, DDS, and Kafka

• Distributed simulation experience

• Experience with graphics and presentation API's such as Dash, WorldWind, OpenGL, Matplotlib

• Strong background in C, C++, Swing, AWT, or JavaFX

• Knowledge of military or space systems such as sensors, guidance navigation and control (GNC), communications systems, or orbital mechanics

• Experience with hardware-software interfacing and communications or embedded systems

• A current and active TS/SCI security clearance with counter-intelligence polygraph, which is issued by the U.S. government is preferred. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Grade-Based Pay Range

(Min - Mid - Max)

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 The Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law and the supplement, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.