OPIR Ground Deputy Chief 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.

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.

We are looking for a OPIR Ground Deputy Chief Engineer (Sr. Project Leader – Cyber Security & Cloud Computing Architecture) to join our Colorado-based Space-Based Sensing Division team supporting SSC FORGE acquisition efforts. The Missile Warning and Tracking Ground, Exploitation, and Operations Subdivision (MWT GEOSD) provides technical and programmatic support across the heritage and future Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) missile warning and tracking ground systems engineering, development, integration, and sustainment activities. The Deputy Chief Engineer for MWT GEOSD will serve as the deputy chief architect and mission area end-to-end infrastructure subject matter expert to the GEOSD Systems Director for Operations and GEOSD Chief Engineer within the USSF SSC Strategic Missile Warning Ground and Integration Acquisition Delta. This position will provide technical and programmatic leadership in defining, acquiring, and operationalizing cyber secure Next-Generation OPIR ground capabilities that implement state-of-the-art industry solutions, including commercial cloud, to drive the DoW OPIR enterprise forward as a cohesive whole.

This is a fully on-site position based at Buckley Space Force Base.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Support the Chief Engineer and Systems Director for Operations, and within delegated roles and responsibilities, act as the lead technical authority for the Next-Generation OPIR missile warning ground segment acquisition activities.
• Serve as the leader of a team of multi-agency, multi-discipline technical and programmatic leaders and contributors across missile warning ground system development efforts, ensuring successful incorporation of OPIR data from multiple sources.
• Execute the role of on-site US Government Deputy Chief Engineer, with delegated authority for on-site design, architecture, and change control for all FORGE-based, SSC-owned systems being fielded, operationally accepted, and operationally used in the SBIRS MCS.
• Drive on-site delivery of next-generation OPIR prototype and development capabilities to operational usage, including new ground systems and incremental capability upgrades.
• Incorporate best-in-breed industry solutions, with heavy emphasis on cloud-native concepts, designs, architectures, and solutions, into the OPIR MWT architecture.
• Implement on-premises cloud platform solutions designed for specific OPIR MWT mission sets.
• Drive cyber resilience into all layers of the ground system solution.
• Implement the overall “cyber secure by default” approach to development, integration, fielding, and operations, based on cybersecurity engineering principles and the cybersecurity confidentiality-integrity-availability engineering triad.
• Support influencing key Government and contractor stakeholders to move forward with proposed next-generation networking capabilities, including heritage and next-generation operational network interfaces and approaches.
• Evaluate and recommend changes to enhance the long-term sustainment and viability of the proposed implementations.
• Support the Chief Engineer on solution consultations on other parts of the MWT mission area, including but not limited to WT-5, S2E2, UGNT, and other nascent/developing concepts.
• Mentor less-experienced personnel and serve as role model to help implement a talent pipeline for junior staff to become MWT mission area experts.
• Exemplify Aerospace corporate values of objectivity and integrity while serving as a trusted agent to our government customers.

What You Need to be Successful 

Minimum Requirements for Sr. Project Leader – Cyber Security & Cloud Computing Architecture:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, or closely related technical field
• 12 or more years of progressively demonstrated MWT engineering experience, including leading multi-disciplinary system engineering teams in a program oversight environment.
• Experience leading complex operational acceptance (OA) campaigns to field new ground systems to MW operations.
• Strong background in leading teams in ground systems, software development and cloud engineering
• Experience with National Security Space (NSS) ground system architectures development, test, and operationalization.
• Experience running ITW/AA certification oversight processes.
• Experience driving and bringing inherently cyber secure solutions to bear for MW operational use.
• Experience establishing and maintaining trusted relationships with government customers, prime and support contractors, and key stakeholders under minimal supervision.
• This position requires a current and active TS/SCI clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required.

How You Can Stand Out 

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

• Advanced STEM degree
• 12 or more years of progressively demonstrated MWT engineering experience, including leading multi-disciplinary system engineering teams in a program oversight environment.
• Experience managing OPIR missile warning system infrastructure, including ancillary systems
• Experience with on-premises cloud deployment, migration and/or operations
• Experience working through cybersecurity accreditation in Space Force or DoD programs
• Understanding of current DoD acquisition practices

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.