Hypersonics Vehicle Integration 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, developmental planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape future space missions across the national security space enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including United States Space Force, United States Space Command, United States Strategic Command, Air Force Material Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers but also horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation.

The Launch, Mobility and Missile (LMM) group is seeking a Hypersonics Vehicle Integration Engineer to provide technical engineering support to a Program Office that is integrating a payload onto an existing Reentry Vehicle and will be conducting ground launch testing.  The position requires someone with hands-on experience in hypersonic vehicle integration and systems engineering. The candidate will also be in a customer interfacing role with the Program Office.  Engagements will range from working level to O-7 level. The candidate must have exceptional verbal and written communication skills and be able to effectively interface with the government customer, contractors and other supporting FFRDCs/UARCs.  They must also be willing to travel to the contractor’s site and interface with them regularly.

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

What You Will Be Doing

• Provide insight to Aerospace leadership and the Program Office on contractor’s execution status, risks, issues, and opportunities
• Act as a senior technical and integration advisor to the Program Office on re-entry vehicle architecture and performance
• Monitor and assess contractor performance and integration of the products and/or services
• Work closely with project scheduler to identify receiver and provider products across all stakeholders to ensure the Integrated Master Schedule remains accurate
• Help the Program Office and contractors plan and execute their risk/reliability activities  
• Coordinate Aerospace resources to resolve system integration technical issues
• Advise the Program Office Mission Manager on technical issues related to system integration
• Validate and verify reentry vehicle to launch vehicle interface requirements
• Monitor and assess vehicle system technical and schedule issues for mission impacts
• Perform readiness assessments at key milestones in support of Program Office launch readiness and mission certification processes
• Provide support to the development, evaluation, and validation of system level requirements
• Coordinate tasks and participate in technical interchange and working group meetings
• Create periodic status reports for both Aerospace managers and the Program Office
• Present technical and project status briefings to Aerospace management and the Program Office
• Coordinate Aerospace internal technical resources to provide modeling and simulation studies as needed by the Program Office
• Prepare technical reports and presentations to capture findings, and provide technical assessments and guidance to the Program Office
• Demonstrate behavior that is consistent with the company’s values of Dedication to Mission Success, Technical Excellence, Commitment to Our People, Objectivity and Integrity, and Innovation
• This position requires approximately 30% travel

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Project Engineer - Systems and Mission Assurance Engineering:

• Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited program in a STEM field.
• 8 or more years of relevant systems engineering experience with an emphasis on weapon system integration, configuration management, establishment and maintenance of Configuration Items, and planning and execution of associated reviews.
• Experience with developing products required for DOW acquisition phase transition, with emphasis on the Production and Deployment phase
• This position requires an active Top Secret / SCI clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Eligibility to obtain SAP access

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

• 12 or more years of relevant systems engineering experience with an emphasis on weapon system integration, configuration management, establishment and maintenance of Configuration Items, and planning and execution of associated reviews
• Proven leadership experience with developing products required for DOW acquisition phase transition, with emphasis on the Production and Deployment phase
• Strong systems engineering experience with an emphasis on configuration management, establishment and maintenance of Configuration Items, and planning and execution of associated reviews.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Masters or Ph.D. degree from an accredited program in STEM field
• Experience in working with Department of Defense organizations and FFRDC/UARCs support DoD activities
• Special Access Program experience
• Experience in working on enterprise architecture and modeling & simulation.

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 [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.