Launch Base Infrastructure Systems 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 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.

Readying space vehicles for launch at the launch base is a critical element in a space mission’s life cycle. The Vandenberg Engineering & Acquisition Department provides the National Reconnaissance Office’s Office of Space Launch essential engineering assessments and guidance to support these readiness activities. We are looking for a Launch Base Infrastructure Systems Engineer (Senior Project Engineer- Systems and Mission Assurance Engineering) who will apply sound systems engineering and deep technical rigor to provide the customer confident assessments that allow clear decision making which enables national security space systems to be successfully processed and launched. You will join a collaborative team in a fast-paced environment to provide engineering expertise for systems and facilities that provide essential capabilities to spacecraft launch site processing, including base infrastructure and aerospace ground support equipment.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at a customer facility at Vandenberg SFB, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide systems engineering guidance, review, and recommendations as a member of integrated mission teams responsible for launch site space vehicle processing
• Evaluate designs, concepts of operation, requirements, processes, procedures, and non-recurring engineering efforts
• Provide recommended courses of action to remedy observed shortfalls or discrepancies in new or upgraded systems/processes as compared to established operating baselines
• Assess and evaluate contractor designs, analyses, and cause and corrective action reports
• Perform engineering evaluations in support of requirements compliance, risk assessment, anomaly investigations, and system readiness
• Support program milestone and day of launch readiness activities and provide objective readiness assessments in support of formal readiness certification
• Identify and lead Aerospace engineering matrix resources to apply specialized knowledge and capabilities to the customer’s most challenging problems

What You Need to be Successful

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

• A bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or systems engineering or a related technical field from a recognized institution.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant systems engineering experience with progressively increasing responsibilities
• Experience with one or more of the following: spacecraft launch site processing, launch vehicle processing, launch site infrastructure systems, data acquisition systems, ground support equipment engineering design and analysis, spacecraft integration and test
• Proactive approach to problem solving, ability to work with autonomy
• Demonstrated use of systems engineering principles, concepts and practices
• Ability to successfully team and communicate with a broad range of customers, colleagues, contractors, and senior government leadership
• Solid understanding and experience with spacecraft processing systems including air & road transport, mechanical ground support equipment, radio frequency detection/protection, and/or environmental monitoring systems
• Willingness to travel occasionally (approximately 10%)
• This position requires a current and active TS/SSBI/SCI security clearance and polygraph, which is 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:

• An advanced degree in mechanical, aerospace, or systems engineering or a related technical field from a recognized institution
• Program office experience or prior experience in requirements development, acquisition, project/engineering management, requirements verification and risk analysis
• Experience with national security space systems characterization, testing, demonstration and operations
• An understanding of the Office of Space Launch mission and familiarity with national security space systems 
• Formal education in or previous experience in knowledgeably applying systems engineering practices and procedures

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.