OPIR AI/ML 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.

The Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers’ portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

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

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

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

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)

$110,400.00 - $165,500.00

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership 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:

Operate Strategically

Lead Change

Engage with Impact

Foster Innovation

Deliver Results

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 various 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