The Aerospace Corporation · Buckley SFB, CO

OPIR AI/ML Engineer at The Aerospace Corporation — Buckley SFB, CO

Full-timeBuckley SFB, CO$110,400–$165,500/yearPosted 2026-07-21Apply on Workday
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Full job description

As an OPIR AI/ML Engineer working in a Program Office role, you will be directly supporting the Tools, Applications and Processing Lab (TAP Lab) as it advances the Missile Warning & Tracking (MWT) mission using Overhead Persistent Infra-Red (OPIR). In this role, you will be responsible for the support of vendor R&D efforts, understanding and performance portions of our in-house R&D, and aligning the R&D lab with the broader enterprise. That will mean supporting migration to cloud, addressing the challenges with future sensor systems, and incorporating new technologies, including AI & Machine Learning, into OPIR data exploitation.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in in Aurora, CO and occasionally Boulder and Colorado Springs CO is also expected.

What You’ll Be Doing

  • Supporting research and development of new Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning (AIML) tools, applications, and processing for OPIR Mission Data Processing / Data Exploitation
  • Advance new ground and processing technologies in support of Operations, with a focus on use of AIML for those areas
  • An Innovation and New Technology Advocate as well as Early Adopter mindset is required.
  • Support the advancement of OPIR MWT mission by addressing anticipated future problems before they arrive
  • Working with our vendor community, gov’t stakeholders and many others, as they address these challenges

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements – Sr. Member of Technical Staff - Signal & Image Process Engineering and AI:

  • 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.
  • Five or more years of professional experience with image, OPIR, or Mission Data Processing/Data Exploitation, ideally researching or developing such software for professional/operational release
  • At least two years of professional experience applying AIML to image/OPIR processing
  • Enterprise scale image or OPIR processing software system development experience
  • 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
  • Significant understanding of Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and its application to Mission Data Processing / Data Exploitation
  • This position requires a current Secret security clearance which is issued by the US Government. Top Secret with appropriate SCI is strongly preferred. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

How You Can Stand Out

  • Post-Graduate degree in a STEM area, preferably satellite sensor processing
  • Significant understanding of Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Missile Warning &Tracking mission areas, with a heavy focus on Mission Data Processing / Data Exploitation
  • Experience in satellite Remote Sensing that can augment Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR)
  • Experience supporting very technical vendors in a Gov’t R&D environment
  • Demonstrated effectiveness working with limited supervision
  • Demonstrated capability to work in a highly dynamic Program Office environment with a mix of Government, FFRDC, SETA, and vendor personnel

(Min - Max)

$110,400.00 - $165,500.00

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

  • Operate Strategically
  • Lead Change
  • Engage with Impact
  • Foster Innovation
  • Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

  • 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

Equal Opportunity Commitment