Solar Physics Research Scientist

Lockheed Martin
$109,200 - $192,510 a year
Palo Alto, California
Full time
1 day ago
Job ID: 701492BR
Date posted: Aug. 18, 2025

Description:The Lockheed Martin Solar and Astrophysics Laboratory (LMSAL) has an immediate opening for a Research Scientist to support existing science missions and to conduct research using the rich datasets of current and upcoming heliophysics missions. Current missions at LMSAL include the Multislit Solar Explorer (MUSE) and Extreme Ultraviolet Solar Telescope (EUVST), the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS), and the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO/AIA and HMI). LMSAL is a department of the Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center (ATC) in Palo Alto, CA.

The ATC is the research lab for LM Space, and the SS&I directorate within the ATC pursues fundamental space science research and the development of prototype flight instruments and payloads. The successful candidate will play a key scientific and/or technical role and will grow into a leadership role in Heliophysics Science as part of these teams.

Duties include support for design, integration and test of optical instruments (especially for EUV/UV imaging and spectroscopy, including MUSE); verification of optical performance, including calibration; test and verification of image stabilization systems; analysis of system performance, including effects of spacecraft charging, jitter, etc.; planning and conducting environmental and functional testing on instruments and payloads; and support for mission operations including science planning and analysis, data processing and calibration, and monitoring of calibration data/quality. The Research Scientist is also encouraged to conduct supporting research and/or to seek external funding to pursue research commensurate with their training and expertise.
Basic Qualifications:
  • PhD degree in Heliophysics or related science/engineering discipline, preferably with application relevant to Heliophysics Science Focus areas.
  • Demonstrated technical experience and the ability and willingness to work in technical teams.
  • Experience with the execution of space science research programs.
  • US citizenship or Green Card holder.
Desired Skills:
  • Emerging leader in the Heliophysics Science technical professional community, based on publications, academic interfaces, and professional contacts, capable of being a Principal Investigator of Co-Investigator on NASA science contracts and/or missions.
  • Experience with solar spectrographs, imagers, or analogous instrumentation. Design experience with and mission architectural knowledge of UV and EUV optical instruments.
  • Mission experience and good technical familiarity with multiple heliophysics instrumentation or deep familiarity in one such technology demonstrated by publications, on-orbit instruments, and selected missions.
Clearance Level: None
Other Important Information You Should Know
Expression of Interest: By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in this position and could be considered for other career opportunities where similar skills and requirements have been identified as a match. Should this match be identified you may be contacted for this and future openings.
Ability to Work Remotely: Part-time Remote Telework: The employee selected for this position will work part of their work schedule remotely and part of their work schedule at a designated Lockheed Martin facility. The specific weekly schedule will be discussed during the hiring process.
Work Schedules: Lockheed Martin supports a variety of alternate work schedules that provide additional flexibility to our employees. Schedules range from standard 40 hours over a five day work week while others may be condensed. These condensed schedules provide employees with additional time away from the office and are in addition to our Paid Time off benefits.
Schedule for this Position: 4x10 hour day, 3 days off per week
Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in California and New York (excluding most major metropolitan areas), Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington or Washington DC is $109,200 - $192,510. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate's final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer. Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year. This position is incentive plan eligible.
Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in most major metropolitan areas in California and New York is $125,600 - $217,695. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate's final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer. Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. This position is incentive plan eligible.
Lockheed Martin is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to legally protected characteristics.
The application window will close in 90 days; applicants are encouraged to apply within 5 - 30 days of the requisition posting date in order to receive optimal consideration.
Join us at Lockheed Martin, where your mission is ours. Our customers tackle the hardest missions. Those that demand extraordinary amounts of courage, resilience and precision. They're dangerous. Critical. Sometimes they even provide an opportunity to change the world and save lives. Those are the missions we care about.

As a leading technology innovation company, Lockheed Martin's vast team works with partners around the world to bring proven performance to our customers' toughest challenges. Lockheed Martin has employees based in many states throughout the U.S., and Internationally, with business locations in many nations and territories.
Experience Level: Experienced Professional
Business Unit: SPACE
Relocation Available: Possible
Career Area: Scientist
Type: Full-Time
Shift: First
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