Satellite Performance Analysis & Acquisition Expert

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. 

Directorate E provides on-site support within multiple government program offices in the oversight and management of a complex new national security satellite system architecture. Within Directorate E, Aerospace provides acquisition, mission assurance, analytic, and systems engineering support. The Acquisition Programs team provides acquisition and subject matter expertise in support of a major customer in the National Security Space portfolio.

In this position you will coordinate Aerospace activities across multiple technical areas to support system design and end-to-end mission performance evaluation and acquisition execution.

This full-time position requires 100% onsite work in Chantilly, VA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead modeling and simulation efforts to independently assess spacecraft performance against contractor design proposals, developing and validating simulation frameworks to verify compliance with mission requirements, performance thresholds, and operational constraints
• Provide expert systems engineering guidance to the government customer on requirements development, traceability, and maturation throughout the acquisition lifecycle, ensuring technical rigor and consistency across evolving mission needs and design trade spaces
• Support competitive source selection activities by evaluating and comparing contractor technical approaches, performance data, and design maturity, delivering objective, analysis-based recommendations to inform government acquisition down select decisions
• Collaborate and communicate frequently with government customers, SETA contractors, and development contractors to meet mission needs.
• Act as a senior mentor to team members, providing guidance to staff in both technical duties and program office responsibilities.

What You Need to be Successful:  Senior Project Engineer – Modeling & Simulation and Signal & Image Process Engineering 

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or a related discipline
• 10 or more years of progressively more responsible experience
• Experience in a program office role coordinating and leading matrixed technical teams across multiple disciplines
• Proven experience working with multidisciplinary teams comprised of government, SETA, and Aerospace personnel
• Ability to work closely and cooperatively with contractor personnel
• Willingness to travel to Aerospace and CONUS contractor facilities approximately once per month  
• This position requires a current and active TS/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:

• Advanced degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or a related discipline
• Experience with RF systems or other complex system acquisitions
• Experience completing detailed, high accuracy modeling & simulations of system and payload performance
• Experience supporting source selections and/or acquisition strategy
• Experience providing direct engineering support to the development of space system, or similarly complex, hardware
• Experience authoring spacecraft performance requirements based on user needs and industry capabilities 
• Knowledge of ETG capabilities and demonstrated interaction with ETG personnel 

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.