The Aerospace Corporation is an independent nonprofit organization that operates a federally funded research and development center dedicated to the space enterprise. Its teams provide objective technical analysis, engineering support, and strategic assessments for government, civil, and commercial customers. Work at The Aerospace Corporation spans space cybersecurity, satellite-system resilience, space safety, environmental satellite programs supported by agencies such as NOAA and NASA, orbital debris mitigation, and technologies that advance national space capabilities. The organization brings together expertise across aerospace, defense, consulting, and related technical fields, supporting employees working on complex challenges shaping the future of space.
Senior Nuclear Hardness and Survivability Engineer
Analyze radiation and space-environment survivability for satellite, payload, and missile electronics. Support The Aerospace Corporation’s national security space programs through testing, modeling, and compliance reviews.
United States
California
Virginia$100,300 – $150,400 / year
On-siteFull-timeSeniorEnglish RequiredEngineerDescription
- Assess nuclear hardness and survivability for satellite electronics, subsystems, payloads, and missile systems.
- Interpret radiation test plans and reports against total-dose, displacement-damage, prompt-dose-rate latchup and upset, and single-event-effect requirements.
- Analyze survivability in space environments, including micrometeoroids, atomic oxygen, solar energetic particles, and single-event effects.
- Review procedures for component- and box-level Flash X-ray testing.
- Estimate radiation environments with DTRA modeling tools, the Testable Hardware Toolkit, FASTRAD, MCNP, SPENVIS, CREME96, GEANT4, Ansys Charge Plus, SIRE2, Warren, and related tools.
- Evaluate radiation requirements and compliance at PDRs, CDRs, and other program reviews.
- Assess industry radiation and survivability plans and apply relevant best practices.
Requirements
- Degree in physics, nuclear engineering, or a related field.
- At least five years of progressively responsible, relevant engineering experience; time spent pursuing an advanced degree may count toward this requirement.
- Proficiency with scientific programming languages such as MATLAB, Mathematica, IDL, Python, or C++.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.
- U.S. citizenship, required to obtain a security clearance.
- An advanced degree is preferred.
- Experience in nuclear hardness and survivability.
- Knowledge of radiation effects on electronic components and systems.
- Ability to review NH&S analyses and confirm that requirements are met.
- Proficiency in addressing SGEMP in the design and analysis of flight hardware.
- Experience making radiation predictions with ASSIST, THTk, FASTRAD, MCNP, SPENVIS, CREME96, or other radiation analysis tools.
- Exposure to machine learning or artificial intelligence methods, with implementation experience.
- Background evaluating electronic components for spaceflight units.
- Expertise in electron, proton, neutron, and photon transport analysis.
- Understanding of prompt-dose effects.
- Active TS/SCI or Q clearance.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
- Paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation.
- Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options.
- Company-paid retirement benefits totaling 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service, plus matching contributions; employees are eligible and vested upon hire.
- Flexible spending accounts.
- Variable pay for exceptional contributions.
- Relocation assistance.
- Professional growth and development programs.
- Education assistance programs.
- An inclusive workplace emphasizing teamwork, flexibility, and respect.