Space System Architect Project Lead

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 Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a wide-ranging and dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities.  

The Architecture Concepts Department (ArCon) provides expertise in architecture methods, processes, and tools to an extremely broad range of customers, including National Space Security (NSS) and other defense programs, NASA, NOAA, NNSA, DHS, and others.  ArCon staff participate in and lead architecture trade studies, architecture conceptualization studies, architecture modeling tasks, and program assessment analyses at multiple levels of complexity, ranging from prototype systems to full scale acquisition systems in the space, ground, communications, and network domains.  ArCon applies disciplined system architecting principles and leads cross-functional teams to provide impactful guidance to assist our customers in making key acquisition and operations decisions.  

Work Model: This is a part-time position (20 hours/week) performed fully remote. Occasional on-site presence may be required to support in-person Concurrent Design Center (CDC) sessions, as needed. 

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Lead space architecture trade studies and conceptualization efforts of medium to high complexity, assembling and leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams to address problem framing, gap analysis, and trade space assessment 

• Serve as a critical node and spokesperson for communicating technical needs and deliverables to project team members, program office, and customers; identify and facilitate access to subject matter expertise across the corporation 

• Evaluate, select, and apply system architecting methods, processes, and tools in a broad range of space architecture-level assessment, modeling, analysis, and conceptual design activities 

• Use, develop, and integrate analytical methods and tools to evaluate space architectural concepts and system conceptual designs for cost, schedule, performance, risk, resilience to disruptive events or threats, and other characteristics 

• Work with Aerospace program office, customer, and contractor personnel to elicit and identify needs, requirements, and constraints for studies; scope, plan, and execute studies; and effectively communicate task status, methods, results, and recommendations in briefings and formal technical reports 

• Manage project plans, resources, budgets, risks, and constraints to deliver impactful and timely products within a part-time schedule, prioritizing and sequencing work to meet study milestones 

• Collaborate with other Aerospace personnel to marshal technical expertise in multiple technical disciplines and domains to enable concurrent engineering approaches to address complex space architecture problems 

• Mentor and train junior staff for effective task execution on space architecture studies 

What You Need to be Successful 

Minimum Requirements for Project Lead: 

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, science, or related technical field 

• At least 8 years of professional experience in engineering, may be satisfied by combinations of MS Degree, PhD, and/or professional experience 

• Experience in space system or enterprise architecting, systems engineering, concept design, and/or model-based systems engineering 

• Experience organizing and leading cross-functional, cross-organizational teams to execute projects or studies, including as Project Lead or Systems Lead on a study team 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present methods and results effectively in briefings, formal reports, and informal communications 

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with teams, customers, Aerospace program offices, and contractors, and to collaborate with other functional organizations within Aerospace 

• Demonstrated ability to manage time and deliverables independently in a part-time, remote work arrangement, including proactive communication with team members and customers across differing schedules 

• Available and willing to travel to an Aerospace campus (Chantilly, VA; Colorado Springs, CO; or El Segundo, CA) as needed to support in-person CDC sessions 

How You Can Stand Out 

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

• Master's and/or Ph.D. in engineering, math, science, or related technical discipline 

• Demonstrated initiative to innovate, shape, drive, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of tasks, projects, or organizations 

• Demonstrated success in organizing and leading cross-functional, cross-organizational teams to execute studies and assessments and generate quality products 

• Relevant work and/or graduate school experience in system or enterprise architecting, systems engineering, model-based systems engineering, or digital engineering 

• Experience with spacecraft, payloads, ground systems, launch systems, missile systems, nuclear weapon systems, and/or aircraft systems 

• Hands-on experience with system or enterprise modeling in the Systems Modeling Language (SysML), Unified Architecture Framework (UAF), or Unified Profile for DoDAF and MODAF (UPDM) 

• Experience working closely with key Aerospace customer agencies in the defense and intelligence community, including strong knowledge of their domain and strong professional networks 

• Prior experience successfully executing a part-time or remote technical role, including proactively structuring one's own schedule to meet project deadlines 

• Experience with space system architecture conceptual design, analysis, and concurrent engineering techniques 

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.