Software Architecture and Systems Software 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.

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 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.

STARS, the Spacelift Telemetry Acquisition and Reporting System, is a networked, distributed processing system used to acquire, process, analyze, display, and archive launch vehicle telemetry and other data for vehicle checkout and launch activities. We are looking for a Software Architecture and Systems Software Engineer (Project Engineer/Sr. Project Engineer)

Responsible to the Western Range Directorate (WRD) Spacecraft and Systems Engineering & Integration Director for telemetry processing support at WRD for Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) Falcon and United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan launch vehicle telemetry processing, data storage and retransmission of telemetry data acquired during launch vehicle testing and in support of launches. Participate in the resolution of anomalies relating to the operation and maintenance of the Western Range (WR) Spaceflight Telemetry Acquisition and Reporting System (STARS) facility.  This position requires continual interaction with Aerospace program office, Enterprise Information Services (EIS) and Engineering Test Group (ETG) personnel; United States Space Force (USSF) program office and operations personnel; and launch vehicle and WR contractor personnel. 

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA.    

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide Aerospace Project Engineering support performing operations, maintenance and sustainment activities for WR STARS.
• Execute the WR STARS operations support plan based on the launch vehicle test support requirements and launch vehicle processing schedules.
• Ensure all the power-on tests for the Vulcan and Falcon launch vehicles are supported.
• Configure the systems to receive, record and relay voice, video and data associated with Vulcan and Falcon launch vehicle processing.
• Configure and utilize workstations for launch vehicle data displays.
• Troubleshoot data, voice, video and timing circuits, networking equipment, data recording systems, video display systems, data communications system, data recording systems and associated data processing hardware as required to maintain nominal data processing and recording capabilities.
• Validate datalinks as required to ensure nominal performance parameters are met for all operations.
• Participate in assessing the requirements for, solutions to and implementation of the modifications required to support new requirements for existing launch vehicles and to support requirements for new launch vehicles.
• Participate in the STARS Engineering Review Board (ERB), which reviews, prioritizes, plans for, and recommends all changes to the STARS systems.  The ERB forwards recommended changes with appropriate justifications and supporting material to the STARS Configuration Control Board (CCB) for approval.
• Ensure the WR STARS facility support systems consisting of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, computer room air conditioning (CRAC) system, the emergency generator and the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system receive the correct preventative and corrective maintenance and are fully mission capable (FMC).
• Create and optimize desktop applications for launch vehicle telemetry to facilitate automated test setups and data collection
• Develop and maintain strong, effective working relationships with internal and external customers and contractor counterparts

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Project Engineer - Software Architecture and Systems Software Engineering

• Bachelors of Science degree in an applicable STEM areas or other discipline
• 8 or more years of experience in in software development with within a test instrumentation or aerospace environment
• Experience with voice, video and telemetry transport systems (optical and electrical)
• Experience with automating engineering workflows
• Strong experience in Windows and Linux systems administration
• Software development using in Java, Python, PERL, C/C++
• Willing to work outside of normal working hours and weekends
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with contractors and customers 
• This position requires 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.

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

• 12 or more years of experience in software development with within a test instrumentation or aerospace environment
• Experience leading a large technical effort

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced degree in a relevant STEM-related field
• Knowledge of launch vehicle telemetry data systems, formats and standards
• Familiarity with data, voice, video and timing communication circuits and interfaces
• Familiarity with launch vehicle operations and a working knowledge of Range Operations
• Experience working collaboratively with internal and external organizations
• DevOps experience
• Knowledge of pipeline frameworks like Jenkins or Selenium
• Experience with deployment tools like Docker and Kubernetes

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)

$117,300.00 - $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.