Spacecraft Program Lead

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 National Systems Group serves as the technical advisor to the Intelligence Community and its mission partners involved in the collection and distribution of national and tactical intelligence, including electronics programs, advanced technologies, ground and communications, imagery programs, and systems engineering and launch.

The Survivability and Resilience Office (SRO) of the Advanced Technology Division offers broadening opportunities to make a lasting impact on mission success in a rapidly evolving mission area that requires end-to-end integration, cross-organizational reach, has varying mission assurance and acquisition approaches, and spans R&D to major system acquisition. 

We are looking for a Spacecraft Program Lead (Senior Project Leader) to lead Aerospace support for a new, resiliency focused Major Systems Acquisition program, and to lead customer engagement activities cultivating the leading edge of space resilience R&D technologies for implementation on future missions.  You will be the program lead for engaging Aerospace resources to support the build, integration, test, launch, and operations for a critical, space-based resilience MSA system.  You will engage directly with the Program Manager and customer team, ensuring Aerospace technical subject matter expertise, laboratory capabilities, and modeling & simulation capabilities are fully engaged to ensure mission success.  Additionally, you will support the Government’s resilience-based R&D efforts, helping to identify candidate technologies for maturation, supporting the maturation efforts, and facilitating transition to operational capabilities.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Chantilly, VA.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Building, and leading, a high-impact, focused ETG team of subject matter experts addressing critical program technical issues in support of a Major Systems Acquisition program.
• Collaborating with program office, contractor, and ETG counterparts in a high-velocity environment to establish and execute an innovative, tailored mission assurance baseline for a hi-visibility, Major Systems Acquisition (MSA) program.
• Anticipating technical challenges and proactively coordinating critical support and potential risk mitigation strategies to the customer and contractor.
• Leading development / publication of periodic program Mission Assurance Reports detailing Aerospace contributions and highlighting programmatic risks.
• Leading system engineering activities related to CONOPS development, mission analysis for requirement compliance, and mission assurance activities to include: parts and materials assessment, reliability, fault management, V&V plans, Flight software and specialty engineering.
• Leading the identification, evaluation, and development of emerging technologies supporting the space resilience mission area

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Senior Project Leader – Multi-Disciplinary Engineering:

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, science, or mathematics from an accredited institution
• 12 or more years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including multi-disciplinary systems engineering and/or program management environments.
• Direct experience with National Security Space systems design, manufacture, integration and / or test with demonstrable results.
• Proven ability to collaborate with engineering resources to develop technical positions, provide risk assessments and formulate associated courses of action.
• Superior interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative on-site office environment with the Government customer, SETA personnel, and prime contractor.
• Ability to support some routine travel.
• Ability to have and maintain a current and active TS/SSBI/SCI security clearance issued by the U.S. government.  U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced degree in science, engineering, mathematics, or a related technical field.
• Depth in one or more space subsystems or related specialties
• Experience working in the Survivability and Resilience mission area

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.