Sr. AI/ML Systems 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.

The Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, developmental planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape future space missions across the national security space enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including United States Space Force, United States Space Command, Air Force Material Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers but also horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation.

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Senior AI/ML System Engineer to support technical assessments for ground and missile defense systems. This group provides expertise in the areas of software systems analysis, acquisition, system fielding risk assessments, cyber-security, digital engineering, and mission assurance. This role will offer technical analysis and recommendations to internal and customer stakeholders on mission-critical solutions.

Work Model

This position is located at Aerospace Facility in Huntsville, AL with additional work sites at Redstone Arsenal, AL. It will require a minimum 3-4 days/week working on-site and remote flexibility as the business needs allow.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Plan and conducts work requiring judgment in the independent evaluation, selection and adaptation/modification of technical solutions, industry standards, methods, and criteria. Devises new approaches to problems encountered. Frequent inter-organizational and outside customer contacts on matters of importance.
• Perform analytical studies, conducts tests, develops details of specifications, prepares details of analytical report findings, assists in planning and development of studies and design projects.
• Lead large-scale policy, practice, architecture, implementation, flight test and failure review studies to ensure timely fielding and resiliency of defense systems, and the institutionalization of remedies to build government, warfighter, and contractor confidence in fielded technologies. 
• Contribute to Missile Defense System performance assessments in simulation followed by missile flight test environments.
• Developing tool sets to enable rapid development, test, and deployment of high-quality software solutions that leverage machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms.
• Responsible for the operations of machine learning projects. Applies intuitive and professional understanding of industry-relevant Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and data science to build cutting edge AI systems. Researches, identifies and refines project solutions/architectures to develop and enhance innovative technology.
• Partner with data scientists/analysts and cross-functional teams to discover, collect, cleanse, and refine the data needed for analysis and modeling.
• Evaluate algorithm performance enhancements through modeling, simulation, and analysis.
• Communicate with a broad range of customers, technologists, program managers, and senior leadership.

What You Need to be Successful – Senior Project Engineer, Signal and Image Engineering and Artificial Intelligence

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelors degree from an accredited program in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering or a related discipline
• 10+ years hands-on experience designing, writing, testing, and fielding software using one or more of the following languages:  C/C++, Matlab, and Python
• Task lead experience and demonstrated ability to successfully lead geographically dispersed teams
• Support ground and flight software integration within a high-fidelity, real-time 6DOF simulation.
• Integrate avionics hardware and software within real-time closed-loop simulation environments.
• Experience with fire control and discrimination algorithms in missile defense ground systems
• Excellent technical written and oral communication skills
• Willing to travel domestically approx. <10%
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government. 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:

• 15+ years of experience in technical fields related to software/algorithms/modeling and simulation as it relates to the Missile Defense Mission (technical areas could be sensors, target discrimination, hypersonics, fire control, launch vehicles, kill vehicles, targets).
• Demonstrated ability to execute tasks using a matrixed environment.
• Technical experience in any of the following:
  • Development, testing, and sustainment of flight software or ground systems for launch vehicles, spacecraft, or missiles
  • Development, refinement, and integration of technology in the areas of and around AI & ML to enhance mission capability and/or improve analysis toolsets
• Expertise/knowledge using quantitative approaches to support technical decisions and developing metrics used for “go/no go” decisions by MDA Senior Leadership
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with MDA customers: identifying and addressing needs, building relationships, being flexible, communicating effectively.
• Strong technical mentoring skills           

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 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 Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.