SDA Launch Support 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.

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 Materiel 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.

The Space Development Agency (SDA) was established in 2019 by the Department of Defense to define and monitor the Department’s future threat-driven space architecture and accelerate the development and fielding of new military space capabilities necessary to ensure our technological and military advantage in space for national defense. Aerospace support for the SDA resides within the Agile Acquisition Division of the Defense Architectures and Integration office of the Defense Systems Group, which provides decision support at the enterprise level to senior Aerospace customers across the DoW, as well as helping to connect and align customers and Aerospace across the space enterprise. This Launch Systems Engineer position supports SDA’s Ground and Launch Cell, in which the selected candidate will provide expertise in space launch and launch integration, to include spacecraft environmental testing, spacecraft and launch vehicle integration, spacecraft and launch vehicle processing activities at the launch site, and on-console launch day operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for the integration, testing, and launch of SDA satellite systems

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

What You’ll Be Doing

• This position will provide launch support to the SDA Ground and Launch Cell Chief and the Launch Program Manager, as well as the Tranche-1, Tranche-2, and Tranche-3 Program Directors.
• The Ground and Launch Cell provides the launch support for all spacecraft in SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The SDA Ground and Launch Cell Chief reports to the SDA Director. This job includes daily interaction with SDA senior government leaders, FFRDCs, SETAs, UARC personnel, and spacecraft and launch vehicle contractors across all SDA program cells and mission areas
• Provide technical assessments of spacecraft environmental test plans and test results as related to launch vehicle acceptance, management of spacecraft and launch vehicle early integration studies and standard integration working groups, review and assessment of launch site spacecraft processing and launch vehicle integration and interface plans, participation in launch site spacecraft processing and launch vehicle integration activities, participation in launch crew exercises, and participation on-console in launch day operations
• Assist the Government in monitoring contractor execution, provide direct launch systems engineering and subject matter expert (SME) support, and direct ETG SME support to all satellite test, launch operations, integration, and acquisition efforts
• Inform strategic planning of future SDA launch requirements trades across various orbit layers and mission elements
• Apply innovative approaches to spacecraft testing and launch processing
• Apply commercial best practices, systems engineering, and state-of-the-art launch processing and operations to rapidly prepare and launch SDA spacecraft for the PWSA
• Incorporate the Aerospace leadership Competency Model (LCM) tenets to share and exchange launch knowledge and information enterprise-wide, collaborate across the enterprise to learn about and share optimal launch process efficiencies, and effectively empower team members
• Assist the launch team to pivot with agility as schedules change in the dynamic launch environment
• Participate in the troubleshooting and resolution of complex technical issues that may arise during integration and testing to include fishbone development
• Participate in the development and review of Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and other similar documentation using knowledge-based system requirements based on the statement of work
• Collaborate with space system contractors to ensure all technical requirements are met
• Provide expert technical guidance on the electrical and mechanical aspects of spaceflight design and verification
• Support launch campaigns during Integrated Crew Exercises (ICEs), Mission Dress Rehearsals (MDRs), and Day of Launch operations

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Senior Project Engineer – Systems and Systems Test Engineering:

• Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited program in engineering, math, computer science, physics or other related discipline
• 12 or more years of increasingly responsible and related engineering/scientific experience in launch operations
• Relevant, progressive work experience in spacecraft testing, launch processing activities, and spacecraft-launch vehicle integration
• Experience with developing and reviewing interface control documents and similar documents for use by space system contractors
• A strong understanding of electrical and mechanical concepts of complex spaceflight system design
• Experience in launch day on-console operations
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead cross-functional high-performance teams in a fast paced, dynamic environment, reacting quickly and providing products of consistent, high quality
• Experience directly interfacing with customers and delivering comprehensive assessment products
• Candidate must be willing to travel domestically approximately 20% of the time
• Current and active TS/SCI 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:

• A Master’s or PhD degree from an accredited program in engineering, math, computer science, physics, or other related discipline
• 15 or more years of experience in spacecraft processing and space launch activities
• 15 or more years of experience in satellite and launch vehicle integration and test
• Experience with spacecraft environmental test design and execution
• Familiarity with DoD and NASA standards and practices
• Direct experience with SpaceX and/or United Launch Alliance (ULA) launch vehicles and the use/design of satellite dispensers
• Multidisciplinary experience including spacecraft and launch vehicle concept design and operation, knowledge of DoD, IC, Civil, and Commercial missions and technologies
• Experience with the Space Development Agency, multi-manifest launch missions, or commercial spacecraft launches

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)

$151,300.00 - $226,900.00

Pay Basis: Annual

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.