Advanced Communications Satellite Project Engineer/Sr. Advanced Communications Satellite Project 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.

The Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers’ portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

The Rapid System Acquisitions Department is seeking creative technical individuals who thrive in collaborative work environment of small teams to tackle the challenges of integrating complex space and ground systems

As an Advanced Communications Satellite Project Engineer or Sr. Advanced Communications Satellite Project Engineer, you will serve as a key member of the engineering team to influence, shape, and define high priority defense contracts critical to the Space Force.  Working within a space focused acquisition program office, you will translate warfighter needs into reality to ensure next generation of systems are mission ready. This is an exciting role that provides multidisciplinary breadth (cross functional interactions and engagement with multiple engineering disciplines) and depth (translation of mission partner and customer needs to technical requirements).

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA.   

What You’ll Be Doing

• Technical Baseline: Develop and maintain system capabilities, constraints and architecture that meet national system needs.  Integrate Aerospace ETG specialists to solve technical challenges
• Program Execution: Work shoulder to shoulder with talented government program management and cross functional contractor teams to field classified critical systems. Support the Government program office with acquisition activities such as source selection and contract modifications
• Contractor Oversight & Verification: Lead technical evaluations of vendor proposals and monitor execution to ensure contractor efforts meet rigorous performance standards
• Technical Excellence: Communicate system capabilities and insight to Government and Aerospace leadership to educate on risks, issues, opportunities, and associated mitigation strategies

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements – Project Engineer – Systems Engineering – Acquisition and Systems Engineering:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, physical science, mathematics, or related technical degree is required
• 8 or more years of engineering experience, including experience in a systems engineering and/or program management environment is required
• Experience building and maintaining effective interpersonal relations with internal and external organizations such as with customers, Aerospace, contractors, or related
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
• Willing to travel domestically approx. 10-15% (as required) 
• This position requires a current Top Secret/SSBI/SCI clearance and the ability to obtain and maintain additional security clearances issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance and receive additional accesses

In addition to the above, requirements for Sr. Project Engineer – Systems Engineering – Acquisition and Systems Engineering include:

• 12 years or more of engineering experience, including experience in a systems engineering and/or program management environment
• Acting as a senior mentor to team members, providing technical guidance to staff in both technical duties and program office responsibilities as well as development insights
• Develop, foster, and manage ETG support to the program and ensure the program is receiving the required subject matter expertise

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Current or previous access to Special Access Programs
• An advanced degree in a relevant technical area
• Experience working in a program office with a government customer is desirable
• In-depth knowledge of DoD acquisitions, satellite communication, cyber operations, ground systems, Space Systems Command specs and standards, or a combination thereof

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)

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 various 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 employer. 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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.