2025 Electromechanical Research Associate, Space Environment

Full-time - Entry Level

El Segundo, CA

About the position

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 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 Advanced Materials Processing section of the Materials Processing Department (MPD) within the Space Materials Laboratory (SML) provides expertise and laboratory capabilities in optical materials, thin films, and space environmental effects on materials for advanced space systems. MPD hosts an interdisciplinary team working across materials science, physics, and engineering to design, manufacture, and test optical materials for space applications. We are seeking an Electromechanical Research Associate III to support research, technology development, and program activities related to space environmental effects on materials and optical thin films for spacecraft applications. You will directly support MPD scientists in development and execution of experiments and in the operation of associated laboratories.

Responsibilities

• Providing technical support to programs investigating spacecraft material properties, focused on optical properties and space environmental effects on materials.
• Providing laboratory support and oversight to space environment effects simulations, testing, and materials research.
• Maintaining and operating specialized high-vacuum exposure chambers used for radiation exposure testing of spacecraft materials, including setting up experiments, modifying test equipment, maintaining laboratory assets, writing software, and making relevant measurements.
• Working closely with scientists and technical staff to translate requests into experiments and utilize standard techniques and procedures to carry out a series of scientific and/or engineering tasks.
• Supporting more than one technical area of the department as needs arise, and support multiple projects concurrently.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university program in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related discipline.
• 0-1 year of industry work experience.
• Electro-mechanical skills and experience with high-vacuum systems, actuators, valves, etc.
• Experience with computer interface/control of lab equipment, automation, and data acquisition and measurement systems (such as LabVIEW, PLC programming, etc.).
• Experience with mechanical design and associated software programs (such as SolidWorks, etc.).
• Prior experience in a laboratory environment and with lab safety protocols.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work independently with careful attention to detail.
• This position requires the 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.

Nice-to-haves

• 2+ years of industry work experience in a laboratory environment working with optical materials.
• Hands-on experience with optics, optical materials, materials processing, optical measurements, or the space environment.
• Experience handling optics or sensitive, precision hardware.
• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university program in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related discipline.

Benefits

• 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.