Space Systems Engineer/Sr. Space Systems 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, developmental planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape future space missions across the national security space enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including Air Force Space Command, U.S. Strategic Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers but also horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation.

The Project West Wing provides technical intelligence analysis and research for a broad range of national security space and intelligence community customers. The Enterprise Threats (ET) team delivers unique, timely, and independent technical assessments of current and future threats to space-based capabilities.

We are seeking Space Systems Engineers (Project Leader / Senior Project Engineer) with multidisciplinary experience spanning space systems engineering. Any experience in cybersecurity, orbital dynamics, automation/AI, and kill chain analysis would also be valuable.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA.

What You'll Be Doing

• Conduct comprehensive threat assessments of space systems, including jamming, spoofing, cyber, directed energy, electronic warfare, and kinetic threats
• Perform kill chain analysis to identify system vulnerabilities and inform mitigation strategies
• Act as technical contributor, consultant, and primary project coordinator on space system engineering analysis projects
• Leveraging engineering analytic tools informed by technical intelligence to assess space system performance parameters
• Facilitating interaction between customers and Aerospace technical and management staff
• Coordinating large-scale technical efforts across program/project lines
• Providing strategic leadership to resiliency efforts within the US space enterprise

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements Project Leader - Systems and Scientific & Technical Intelligence Engineering :

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in science, engineering, or mathematics
• 8 or more years of experience in aerospace engineering or related field
• Demonstrated interest in and understanding of relevant satellite threat technologies and their applications; e.g., electronic warfare, directed energy, high power microwaves, kinetic effects
• Experience in satellite systems analysis executing range of engineering and modeling tools
• Must be comfortable in a rapidly changing environment and have a strong demonstrated personal initiative
• Superior written and oral communications skills and ability to work with other analysts and customers as a team player
• Flexibility to learn new tools/capabilities as needed
• Willing to travel 10% approx. 
• This position requires an active TS clearance with the ability to get SCI access, 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 - Systems and Scientific & Technical Intelligence Engineering include:

• 12 or more years relevant technical experience is required
• Proven experience space systems engineering, satellites, and operations/spacecraft systems or data analytics background in a space environment
• Able to guide and mentor other analysts and develop more effective data processing techniques
• Collaborate with government customers and identify new projects of interest
• Effectively prioritize efforts based on a combination of factors (e.g. impact, relevance, findings, etc.)
• Confidently communicate insights and findings and their significance to senior leadership

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced degree from an accredited program in science, engineering, or mathematics
• Experience in aerospace engineering, with a strong background in the analytic space intelligence community
• Demonstrated project management skills across multiple engineering disciplines
• Cybersecurity: Understanding of network security analysis, cyber threat assessment, cryptographic systems analysis, or secure communication vulnerabilities
• Automation/AI: Familiarity with autonomous systems, machine learning vulnerabilities, or AI-enabled system architectures

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.