Glide Phase Interceptor 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.

DSG is seeking a qualified Glide Phase Interceptor Engineer (Project Engineer/Senior Project Engineer)  who will primarily support the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) Program with occasional support for MDA Target vehicles.  The Glide Phase Interceptor’s (GPI) objective is to engage and neutralize hypersonic threats in the glide phase pursuing the Missile Defense Agency’s mission to develop and deploy a layered Missile Defense System to defend the United States, its deployed forces, and allies. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to make critical contributions to the GPI program from an early design stage to ensure high reliability and compatibility with the Aegis Weapon System.  The selected candidate will work with a combined team of government, private contractors, FFRDC/UARC, International partners, and SETA personnel performing programmatic, mission assurance reviews, engineering design and development, system production and fielding GPIs to advance the US Missile Defense Capabilities. Frequent interaction with other MDA Directorate personnel, contractors, subcontractors, and international personnel is expected.

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

What You’ll Be Doing

• Directly work with MDA’s GPI program office to provide agile mission assurance for design, production, test, and fielding of the Glide Phase Interceptors
• Facilitate communication between Government and Industry partners to coordinate testing requirements, testing assets, identify testing facilities to enable GPI’s development
• Lead working group meetings between US and international partners accommodating different time zones
• Coordinate with Aerospace subject matter experts to provide technical advisory services to the Missile Defense Agency

• Lead technical assessments of technical analyses, assess design review of various interceptor subsystems of new interceptor systems design, development, test, production, fielding, and post flight data
• Conduct independent reviews of interceptor unit, sub-system, and system development, acceptance, and qualification testing protocols, technical reports, and analysis reports.
• Participate in missile system major milestone reviews

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Project Engineer - Mission Assurance Engineering:

• Accredited bachelor’s degree or higher in appropriate engineering, physics, mathematics, or equivalent technical disciplines such as aerospace, electrical, or mechanical or systems engineering
• 8 or more years of experience in launch vehicles or missile systems
• Demonstrated experience coordinating and leading multidiscipline technical teams formed to solve complex technical aerospace challenges.
• Familiarity with Military, SMC, and Industry testing standards applicable to launch vehicles
• Experience speaking and presenting technical material to government engineers and leaders.
• Willingness to travel to customer or contractor locations up to 20% as required (Continental U.S. with occasional overseas travel)
• Active SECRET security clearance or higher, which is issued by the U.S. Government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for Sr. Project Engineer - Mission Assurance Engineering include:

• 12 or more years of experience in launch vehicles or missile systems
• Experience leading investigations for Failure Review Boards, developing mission risk assessments, and recommending feasible mitigation paths
• Demonstrated experience leading working group meetings composed of diverse stakeholders

How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Accredited Masters or Ph.D. degree in an engineering field
• Expert knowledge in a missile system discipline
• Strong Systems Engineering background
• Experience Supporting the Missile Defense Agency Targets, Quality and Safety, or Interceptor Programs
• Experience with proposals technical evaluations, environmental testing, and testing requirements tailoring

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.