2027 Time and Frequency Systems Scientist

About the Role

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Time and Frequency Systems Scientist to support the Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL), specifically within the Atomic Clocks & Device Physics Section. This role involves laboratory work, simulations, timekeeping studies, and the application of machine learning techniques. The successful candidate will contribute to ongoing research, develop new ideas, prepare research for publication, and communicate with customers. Responsibilities will include assisting senior staff with various project components. The selected candidate will work full-time, on-site in El Segundo, CA.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and execute experiments and data analysis in precise timekeeping and atomic clocks.
• Follow established best practices and procedures, contribute to developing additional processes for laboratory operating principles.
• Collaborate with staff from within the department and the organization on projects.
• Work with management on creating and executing project budgets and schedules.
• Mentor staff and contribute to team efforts.
• Assist senior staff with creating briefing materials, proposals, laboratory experiments, analytical modeling, and data analysis.
• Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or new ones may be assigned as needed.

Corporate Skills

• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Organizational, time management, and project management skills.
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing organizational needs.
• Interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with internal and external organizations.

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited college/university program in Physics, Chemistry, Math, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline (pursuing or conferred within the last 12 months).
• 0-1 year of industry work experience.
• Hands-on experience in a research laboratory environment with precise timekeeping and related equipment and infrastructure.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, including test and demonstration planning, time/resource management, laboratory safety, and research documentation.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Transcripts.

Qualifications That Will Stand Out

• PhD degree from an accredited college/university program in Physics, Chemistry, Math, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline (pursuing or conferred within the last 12 months).
• Knowledge of space-based position, navigation, and timing (PNT) and its users.
• Experience generating precision timescales and ensembles for timekeeping metrology.
• Experience with electrical design and prototyping for optical sensors and devices, including laser drivers, temperature control, low-noise detectors and amplifiers.
• Experience with prototyping miniature and compact optical, fiber optic, and/or integrated photonic devices.
• Experience with time transfer and synchronization, especially satellite time transfer.
• Experience working with commercial manufacturers of atomic clocks, quantum sensors, or other precision fieldable devices.
• Experience with pulsed optically pumped clocks, coherent population trapping, mercury ion clocks, frequency combs, or optical clocks.