Mission Capability Leader

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 Material 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’s Joint and Multi-Domain Subdivision supports a broad sponsor landscape, extending Aerospace’s space-based technical expertise to operational end users. With projects ranging from state-of-the-art research and concept development, to prototyping, cutting-edge laboratory environments, fully integrated operational capabilities, and robust analytics and decision support tools, Aerospace’s support to the military Services, Combatant Commands, and other government agencies helps to enable strategic decisions, explore new operational concepts, and drive toward integrated, multi-domain capabilities.

As the Mission Capability Leader for the HEX mission capability supporting the DAF Integrated Fires Command and Control (DIFC2) program, you will drive the technical vision, architecture, and delivery of advanced capabilities that integrate multi-INT data across the Command, Control, Communications, and Battle Management (C3BM) enterprise. Your work will directly enable Long Range Kill Chain and Sensor to Shooter workflows.

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

What You’ll Be Doing

• Define and maintain the end-to-end technical design for the Hex mission capability, including network architecture, interfaces, data flows, and integration points across the C3BM enterprise, Sensor to Shooter workflows, and DAF Battle Network (DBN)
• Act as the primary technical focal point to the government product owner and stakeholders, bridging operational requirements with architectural and engineering solutions
• Advise a multi-disciplinary team of multi-INT analysts and developers; set technical expectations and direction, establish standards, review designs, and provide actionable feedback
• Provide direct technical contributions in areas such as cloud-based capabilities, UI/UX, integration and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), data integration, and communications systems
• Coordinate across direct program staff and technical reach-back (Systems Engineering Working Group, Data IPT), and support exercises and surge as needed to meet customer requirements

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Project Engineer– Software Architecture Engineering:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant STEM discipline or closely related technical field 
• Eight or more years of technical experience, including multi-disciplinary systems engineering and technical team leadership
• Several years of mission capability experience, ideally supporting Sensor to Shooter or comparable operational workflows
• Experience as a network architect or system-of-systems (SoS) architect, defining end-to-end architectures, interfaces, and data flows across integrated systems
• Demonstrated ability to engage and align multi-level stakeholders, including government acquisition programs and senior customers (O-6/GS-15 level), to ensure architectural direction reflects both strategic objectives and program constraints.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in small team settings and independently with minimal supervision
• High level of self-initiative and a demonstrated ability to bring innovative solutions to hard mission problems
• Willing to travel up to 25 – 50% of the time (~1- 2 weeks per month), including exercises and surge support as required
• This position requires an active TS/SCI security clearance, issued by the US government. US citizenship is required to obtain a clearance

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Senior Project Engineer - Software Architecture Engineering include:

• Twelve or more years of technical experience, including multi-disciplinary systems engineering and technical team leadership
• Extensive experience and expertise in technical areas and leadership mentioned above

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced technical and/or business degree
• Sensor systems / ISR and sensor-discipline background, with the ability to leverage and communicate this experience to teammates and customers
• Coding experience in a modern software language such as Python, R, or Java
• Understanding of Agile development practices, with the ability to act as a product owner for established needs
• Previous experience supporting the Department of the Air Force and the Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) for C3BM; in-depth knowledge of the C3BM enterprise and Intelligence Community (IC)
• Applicable SAP/SAR access

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.