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 Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a wide-ranging and dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities. 

The Architecture Concepts Department (ArCon) provides expertise in architecture methods, processes, and tools to an extremely broad range of customers, including National Space Security (NSS) and other defense programs, NASA, NOAA, NNSA, DHS, and others.  ArCon staff participate in and lead architecture trade studies, architecture conceptualization studies, architecture modeling tasks, and program assessment analyses at multiple levels of complexity, ranging from prototype systems to full scale acquisition systems in the space, ground, communications, and network domains.  ArCon applies disciplined system architecting principles and leads cross-functional teams to provide impactful guidance to assist our customers in making key acquisition and operations decisions. 

Work Model: This position will follow an in-person work model at one of Aerospace’s campuses in Chantilly, VA or El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing 

Direct complex technical activities, organize multi-disciplinary project teams, and execute a variety of space architecture conceptualization, assessment, and modeling activities and provide decision support expertise to Aerospace program offices as a technical subject matter expert and project leader

Steer and implement strategy in space system architectures for the department, and seek, identify, and pursue opportunities for additional, expanded, and new business and assist higher management in the evaluation and pursuit of new opportunities

Lead efforts to identify and incorporate emerging technologies, commercial capabilities, interoperable solutions, and industry best practices into space system architectures

Campaign to establish new partnerships with a wide range of departments across the Engineering and Technology Group and program offices, serving as the subdivision focal point for leading high-impact space architecture design and evaluation, trade studies, analysis of alternatives, programmatic assessments, and investigating urgent technical problems

Expand scope of ArCon relationship with program offices and customer bases, such as SSIO, SWAC, SSDP, and the IC, and leverage department staff and expertise from across ETG to solve complex customer problems.

Facilitate outreach and education of ETG, program offices, customers, and industry on Aerospace space system architecture capabilities

Initiate new program office relationships to collaboratively define new tasking, utilizing system architecting problem framing principles to enable program offices to define the problem space, create implementation plans, and identify appropriate personnel to perform the work based on your knowledge of resources and expertise across the company

Mentor early career and experienced staff, serving as a role model and technical advisor to an exceptionally talented and highly motivated cadre of architects, analysts, and modelers to develop department capabilities and meet emerging demand for department expertise.

What you Need To Be Successful (Minimum Requirements for Sr. Project Engineer – Enterprise Systems Engineering)

Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, science, or a related technical field

At least 10 years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including multi-disciplinary systems engineering and/or program management environments, with a strong command of systems engineering principles

Leadership experience in system or enterprise architecting, systems engineering, concept design, and/or model-based systems engineering

Demonstrated ability to identify problem space, assess trade options, and independently formulate courses of action

Experience initiating and leading cross-functional, cross-organizational teams to plan and execute projects or studies

Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present methods and results effectively in leadership briefings, formal reports, and informal communications

Exceptional time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and schedule commitments

Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with employees, customers, acquisition program offices, and contractors

Exhibit exceptionally high level of innovation, creativeness, and initiative

Available and willing to travel domestically and/or internationally approx. 5-10%

A current and active Top Secret/SCI security clearance issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

How You Can Stand Out 

Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) from an accredited program in a relevant engineering discipline

Demonstrated initiative to innovate, shape, drive, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of tasks, projects, or organizations

Experience in training, mentoring and inspiring staff

Experience working in partnership with multiple Aerospace program offices and customers

Strong interpersonal networks with Aerospace and customer organizations that can be leveraged to establish collaborations and obtain sponsorship for projects

Experience in methods and processes for early life cycle systems engineering, system architecting, and US government system acquisition

Experience with Intelligence Community systems engineering and programmatic processes, methods, tools, and personnel

Experience with space architectures at the system level inclusive of satellites, constellations, ground systems, networks, user terminals, and external interfaces

Experience with space system architecture conceptual design, analysis, and concurrent engineering techniques

Experience with architecture modeling and/or descriptive system modeling for MBSE

Experience with architecture frameworks such as the Department of Defense Architecture Framework (DoDAF) or the Unified Architecture Framework (UAF)

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)

$151,300.00 - $226,900.00
Pay Basis: Annual

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.

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