GPS Gen4 Satellite 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 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.

Aerospace’s Comm and Navigation Capabilities Division is bringing technical engineering capabilities to the fast-moving and highly impactful field of space-based navigation.  We are leading the architecting, acquisition, and development of GPS Gen4, which is the next generation of GPS satellites that will be a proliferated constellation of small satellites, focusing on “new space” commercial companies and rapid fielding of new capabilities. The program will follow agile acquisition tenants to move fast in the modern contested environment. The team participates in a wide range of technical activities, including leading evaluation of new capabilities to shape the future of GPS, working with government, contractors, and military and civil GPS users to influence decisions on GPS satellites and Ground segments. We are looking for an enthusiastic GPS Gen4 Satellite Lead (Project Engineer/Sr. Project Engineer – Systems Engineering – Acquisition) with excellent communication, leadership, strategic thinking, and interpersonal skills to be shoulder to shoulder with the customer in defining the next generation of PNT space systems: GPS Gen4. The selected applicant will be required to interact with the USSF, Aerospace’s Engineering & Technology Group (ETG), and contractors in a customer-facing program office environment. This opportunity provides interaction with Aerospace senior management and experience in a program office environment, as well as builds close working relationships with government and contractor counterparts.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA at Los Angeles Air Force Base (LAAFB). 

What You’ll Be Doing

• Engage with impact to help the USSF develop the acquisition strategy and reference architecture of GPS Gen4 satellites
• Operate strategically in leading the development of the GPS Gen4 satellites, including technical performance assessments of new capabilities, risk management, and program execution acting as the technical representative to the USSF as the Satellite Lead
• Foster innovation within small group trade studies to ensure the Gen4 program is agile and flexible while collaborating as part of a team that includes Aerospace, the government, and SE&I/SETA contractors
• Lead change with the customer team to develop a way forward for future GPS acquisitions
• Develop leadership briefings and reports, and provide technical data to the USSF and Aerospace management

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Project Engineer – Systems Engineering – Acquisition

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, mathematics, or related technical discipline from a recognized institution
• 8 or more years of relevant experience in GPS and/or Satellite programs  
• Demonstrated ability to effectively develop and communicate recommendations and technical information to customer/management and succinctly inform through reports and briefings
• Experience with one or more of the following: GPS, satellite development, program architecture, hardware production, mission integration, and/or test phases of the program life cycle
• Willing to travel domestically, on average two days every two months
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance, 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 – Systems Engineering – Acquisition include:

• Typically, 12 years of relevant experience in GPS and/or Satellite programs  
• Experience acquiring and/or fielding satellite systems, including multiple phases of the development, production, integration, test, and operation timeline

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Previous work leading and effectively managing projects and/or multi-disciplinary teams
• Demonstrated experience identifying, communicating, and resolving technical problems of complex systems
• Knowledge of GPS technology design or operation
• Experience with optical terminal for crosslink applications
• Experience with satellite RF payloads and phased array antennas
• Recent application of current commercial space industry practices and technologies
• Advanced technical degree in engineering, mathematics, or related technical discipline
• Current Top-Secret clearance with the ability to get additional SCI clearances

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.