The Aerospace Corporation · El Segundo, CA

OPIR Systems Engineer at The Aerospace Corporation — El Segundo, CA

Full-timeEl Segundo, CA$129,000–$249,600/yearPosted 2026-07-10Apply on Workday
Apply at The Aerospace Corporation Let Jobeezy apply

Full job description

The OPIR Payloads Department in the Space Based Sensing Division is actively participating in the building and fielding of next generation OPIR payloads for GEO and polar orbits. The mission of Next Gen GEO (NGG) and Polar (NGP) constellations is to deliver end-to-end, resilient, missiles warning systems that outpace the threat.

Our primary customer is the U.S. Space Force (USSF), and this position is customer-facing with a fast-paced tempo to address challenges head-on. We are looking for a driven, motivated OPIR Systems Engineering expert to perform Early On Orbit (EOT) technical support and mod/sim in a dynamic team environment.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time on-site at our facility in El Segundo CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

  • Our OPIR mission payload (MPL) department provides technical assessments on end-to-end performance of OPIR systems
  • The MPL team supports the OPIR Enterprise and ensures early on-orbit testing meets operational acceptance timeline.
  • You will execute independent assessments of end-to-end performance and provide guidance to USSF customer on space-to-ground integration.
  • You will impact the mission area by actively engaging in strategic planning, collaborating with USSF, government contractors, and Aerospace SMEs to address challenges and deliver integrated operational capabilities.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Project Engineer Payload Systems Engineering - EO

  • Bachelor’s degree in physics, astronomy, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or other discipline
  • 8 or more years of proven experience OPIR systems engineering, satellites, and operations/spacecraft systems or data analytics background in a space environment
  • Hands-on experience with modeling and simulation of the following
  • Pixel simulation
  • Line of sight tuning and calibration
  • Radiometric tuning and calibration
  • Onboard and ground exceedance processing
  • Ground representative return processing
  • Familiarity with Enterprise challenges and risk management
  • Willing to travel approx. 25%
  • 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.

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Sr. Project Engineer Payload Systems Engineering - EO include:

  • Master’s degree in physics, astronomy, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or other discipline
  • 12 or more years of proven experience OPIR systems engineering, satellites, and operations/spacecraft systems or data analytics background in a space environment
  • Direct relevant experiences with Enterprise challenges and risk management, including demonstrated payload delivery and on-orbit calibration and tuning

How You Can Stand Out

  • Proven history supporting the USSF customer
  • Ability to collaborate across government and contractor teams
  • Record of advising US Government customer at critical decision milestones (technical and/or schedule), including performing risk assessments.
  • Participation in and leading of anomaly resolution teams
  • Current Secret level clearance, addition of SCI preferred

(Min - Max)

$129,000.00 - $249,600.00

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