Chief Engineer Proliferated Systems 

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 National Systems Group serves as the technical advisor to the Intelligence Community and its mission partners involved in the collection and distribution of national and tactical intelligence, including electronics programs, advanced technologies, ground and communications, imagery programs, and systems engineering and launch. 

Imagery Programs Division’s (IPD) Proliferated Systems (PS) provides technical leadership and guidance on multiple proliferated constellation major system acquisition. We need an experienced engineer or scientist to provide technical leadership on multiple major proliferated systems acquisitions for a national space system customer.  As the Proliferated Systems Chief Engineer (Principal Engineer/Scientist - Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering) , this role will shape demonstration systems execution, guide new acquisition requirements definition and selection, inform existing acquisitions sell-off, lead teams to address and resolve risks and issues across all effort, coordinate activities across internal and external interfaces, and help evolve, enable, and sustain the customer enterprise. As a Principal Engineer, you’ll serve an equally critical role as a  corporate steward helping to shape the technical leadership of the corporation, as well as mentoring the next generation of engineers.

This position requires 100% on-site work in Chantilly, VA 

What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing technical authority and leadership for multi-phenomenology proliferated acquisitions
• Serving as technical lead across organizational boundaries
• Identifying and directing potential innovations and risk reduction activities (such as independent analyses and laboratory testing capabilities) within the program office and in support of corporate strategic projects and initiatives
• Defining and coordinating teams to address difficult technical issues internal to the program and across program lines, and communicating recommendations to Aerospace and customer management
• Mentoring personnel in the program office and Engineering and Technology Group (ETG)
• Collaborating with SETA, government customer counterparts, and Aerospace enterprise to meet mission needs
• Serving on corporate technical committees to lead Aerospace initiatives

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Principal Engineer/Scientist - Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering:

• Bachelor's OR Advanced degree in technical engineering or science discipline
• Fifteen or more years of responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including multi-disciplinary systems engineering and/or program management environments
• Demonstrated experience with development and implementation of demonstration systems and transition to operational acquisitions
• Experience with radar and electro-optical payloads
• Experience with communication systems and networks
• Experience with rapid proliferated acquisitions
• Recognition as a technical leader
• Prior engineering leadership or managerial experience
• Willing to support frequent travel (typically 1-2 weeks per month)
• This position requires a current and active TS/SSBI/SCI security clearance and polygraph, 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:

• Advanced degree in technical engineering or science discipline
• 15+ years’ experience working end-to-end acquisition (across Enterprise, space, ground, and user segments) for National Security Space customers
• Experience balancing technical detail and broader programmatic perspectives
• Understanding of and experience working with a matrixed engineering organization.
• Demonstrated ability to function effectively, efficiently, and collaboratively with limited supervision
• Strong customer-oriented perspective with outstanding skills in facilitating exchanges between technical staff and the customer.

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)

$185,200.00 - $277,800.00

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.