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.
Job Summary
The Aerospace Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL) is a diverse scientific organization that provides a broad and innovative research and development backplane for a growing space enterprise. PSL’s impact is grown through a diverse research portfolio that blends foundational scientific research with cutting-edge technology development to serve a broad customer base. PSL’s exclusive ability to work with all stakeholders: (government, industry, and academia) enables us to provide novel solutions to the most challenging issues in current and future technology applications. The strength of PSL comes from the combination of cutting-edge tools and facilities, a vast repository of space-system knowledge, and the extensive technical expertise of our people. We harness these tools and expertise in over 150 different laboratories to tackle the new challenges for the space enterprise.
The Energy Technology Department (ETD) in PSL provides expert technical assistance for space solar cell and solar array technology used on a broad range of spacecrafts and leads the community by conducting basic and applied research in characterizing photovoltaic devices and understanding how they degrade in the space environment. Our capabilities for advanced characterization techniques and dedication to precision and accuracy supports our national security and civil and commercial space customers with reliable data to predict the performance and degradation of their solar arrays in the harsh environment in space.
As a
Space Photovoltaics Engineering Scientist (Senior Member of Technical Staff/ Research Scientist- Physics & Microelectronics/ Semiconductor Engineering), you will be responsible for leading efforts to develop techniques, tools, capabilities, and prototype for evaluating and assessing next generation spacecraft solar cell and solar array technology for national security space programs. You will collaborate with industry partners and program offices to ensure the success of critical space missions by evaluating and understanding the relevant properties of different components of the solar array and how they degrade in the relevant space environment.
Work Model
This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA, offering a hybrid work model that combines at least (3) regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business needs allow.
What You’ll Be Doing
You will be supporting the development and characterization of advanced solar array technologies for national space missions:
- Design and perform experiments that directly impacts the future direction of space photovoltaic and solar array technology for space missions
- Combine hands-on engineering aptitude and scientific method approach to lead the design and development of industry leading capabilities for characterizing advanced space photovoltaic and other energy generation technologies
- Apply your deep technical experience to support the development of test and measurement capabilities to characterize and understand photovoltaic devices
- Contribute to data management, software analysis and modeling tools
- Effectively communicate technical findings and provide technical consultation to stakeholders, and the larger scientific community through presentations and publications
What You Need To Be Successful
Minimum Requirements for the Senior Member of the Technical Staff (Physics & Microelectronics/ Semiconductor Engineering):
- Ph.D. in a STEM field or equivalent is required
- 5 years of experience in conducting photovoltaics devices and materials research or device physics characterization
- Experience with two or more of the following techniques in photovoltaics characterization: quantum efficiency measurements, four-point probe IV measurements, electroluminescence spectroscopy/imaging, DLTS, capacitance techniques, scanning defect mapping, reflectance spectroscopy
- Experience with two or more of the following instruments: solar simulators (optical sources), Keithley source meter, lock-in amplifier (e.g. Stanford Research Systems), spectroradiometer, vacuum chamber system (roughing, turbo, diffusion pumps, pressure gauges, MFC, etc), thermal cycler for panel life testing
- Demonstrated experience using common data analysis tool such as Python, MATLAB, Origin
- Willing to travel occasionally to customer and contractor site to support customer needs or professional conferences for presenting research results approximately 10% (as required)
- 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 Research Scientist (Physics & Microelectronics/ Semiconductor Engineering) include:
- 8+ years of experience in conducting photovoltaics materials research or device physics characterization or modeling
- Experienced in design and execution of an experiment by building a new tool or modifying an existing tool to better understand the properties of an electro-optical device or microelectronics device
- Experienced in managing a research project and collaborating with or leading a team of junior scientists/engineers by distributing and monitoring tasks, planning budget, and providing regular updates on progress
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
- Experience investigating radiation and space environmental effects in photovoltaic materials such as Si, III-V, perovskites, CdTe, CIGS, or other power generation technologies
- Developed advanced characterization techniques that elucidated a better understanding on what impacts energy generation systems
- Demonstrated experience with developing laboratory test capabilities through hardware/software integration (LabVIEW, Python, C++, Arduino)
- Developed software that implements new methods, models, etc. that helps users to better examine and understand photovoltaic or other energy generation systems
- Experience with common database tools such as MongoDB, InfluxDB, PostgreSQL, or S3
- Experience with on-orbit telemetry analysis and data processing
- Hands-on experience in solar array or solar cell manufacturing and production
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)
$100,300 - $175,900
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 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.
