Senior Avionics Hardware 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.

Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within NASA, NOAA, and the NNSA, while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors. 

We are looking for a Senior Avionics Hardware Engineer (Senior Project Engineer- Technical Project Management). This position, as part of CSG NASA Programs Division will support the Aerospace Program Office at either NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC), NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC), or NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) performing Technical Project Management for avionics hardware development.  This role designs, plans, provides strategic guidance for, implements, coordinates and tracks programs, projects, and initiatives from inception through completion. This role requires specific technical knowledge to plan, organize and control resources, procedures and timing for a technical process or project including: Developing detailed work plans, schedules, project estimates, resource plans and status reports, conducting risk analysis and monitoring the progress of plans against project milestones and budgets. Providing technical and analytical guidance to the project team. Ensuring adherence to quality standards and review of project deliverables. Analyzing and documenting requirements by liaising with a range of users in the organization. On some projects, where applicable, manages the integration of vendor tasks and tracks and reviews vendor deliverables This role establishes milestones and monitors adherence to master plans and schedules, identifies and resolves project problems related to resource allocation or contractual changes; directs the work of employees assigned to the project from technical, manufacturing, commercial and/or administrative areas. 

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time on-site at an Aerospace or NASA facility in Houston, TX, Huntsville, AL, or Merrit Island, FL. 

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Develop and execute cost and schedule analysis roadmaps and plans 
• Assist in leading an avionics hardware development team, ensuring the project meets program milestones, deliveries, and quality requirements 
• Communicating hardware development status up and out to NASA management 
• Managing project activities in lab environment 
• Form and lead cross-functional pursuit teams, ensuring technical alignment and strategic value for all stakeholders. 
• Collaborate across Aerospace to integrate capabilities, staffing models, and lessons learned from prior programs. 
• Partner with engineering and analysis teams to ensure compliance, technical quality, and mission relevance. 

What You Need to be Successful - Senior Project Engineer (Technical Project Management) 

Minimum Requirements: 

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Science or related technical discipline. 
• 10+ years of relevant experience in space systems engineering and program/project management. 
• Demonstrated experience managing technical projects developing space hardware systems including schedule development, resource utilization, meeting milestones, satisfying program requirements. 
• Strong understanding of NASA programs and commercial partnerships. 
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills across technical and executive audiences. 
• Ability to work collaboratively in dynamic, multidisciplinary environments. 
• Experience with technical assessments and flight hardware 
• Ability to provide systems-based leadership in the areas of space, ground, and mission systems 
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers  
• Excellent written communication skills - organize complex technical and programmatic materials and concepts in clear and logical manner 
• Excellent verbal communication skills - clear, concise, persuasive; builds consensus through speaking; polished, professional style; communicates technical and programmatic expertise 
• Willingness to travel both domestically and internationally to support customer needs, approximately 10%  
• This position may require the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, 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: 

• Master’s degree or PhD in Science, Engineering, Aerospace Management, or Business Administration. 
• Familiarity with commercial space architectures. 
• Experience managing FFRDC, SETA, or similar advisory support to government space programs. 
• Established professional network within NASA and other government agencies, and leading commercial space primes, academic, non-profit and industry supply chains 
• Knowledge of emerging commercial and other government space markets (launch services, Human Exploration systems, life and physical sciences, commercial delivery systems, orbital transfer vehicles, lunar systems, return systems, in-space services etc.) 
• Familiarity with government contracting mechanisms such as IDIQs, OTAs, CSOs, and SBIR/STTR pathways. 
• Experience performing or leading technical and programmatic tasks for NASA, spanning technical, cost, schedule and risk areas 
• Demonstrated experience and leadership in technology maturation and capability development for NASA Exploration missions 
• Demonstrated experience in training, supervising, mentoring and inspiring staff   
• Familiarity of NASA commercial mission expertise, skills, tools, analytical capabilities, computing resources and laboratory facilities 
• Experience with current NASA management policies, practices, and systems associated with Human Exploration, Moon to Mars and Commercial Spaceflight Services 
• Existing relationships with NASA Programs and 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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.