Senior Systems Engineer - Electronic Parts & Supply Chain

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.

We are seeking a strategic, technical, and proactive leader for the Space System Integration Office (SSIO) Enterprise Capabilities Division - Industrial Base and Supply Chain Office.  The Senior Project Leader is responsible for leading and managing Aerospace efforts in support of providing Industrial Base (IB), Supply Chain Risks Management (SCRM), and Parts Materials & Process (PMP) program management expertise supporting Space Force customer. SSIO contributes to IB, SCRM and PMP risk assessments and mitigation across the Space Force programs’ system life cycles.

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

What You’ll Be Doing

• As a program office project management lead, Interface with and create working relationships with industry leaders, government agencies (mission partners), Space Force government customers, contractors and Aerospace SMEs.
• Lead interdisciplinary teams to perform industrial base studies involving forward looking risk and mission assurance assessments of space systems.  Organize and lead teams in performing activities to address risk assessment and mitigation associated with electronic/microelectronic components and radiation testing for space systems. Apply unique space parts, materials, and processes (PMP) expertise to address supplier anomalies. 
• Conduct formal assessments and reviews of contractor’s manufacturing and project capabilities. Support independent reviews of supplier/subcontractor facilities, capabilities and processes, and influence space system industrial base policy and guidance that affect operational reliability. Understand requirements development, verification and validation processes.
• Develop strategies to mitigate industrial base issues and concerns impacting the availability of components and to address technology obsolescence concerns including research and development infusion or industrial base financial stimulation necessary to ensure industry capability and capacity to meet government production needs.
• Work with internal Aerospace labs and subject matter experts along with industry in the analysis of parts anomalies and product disruptions to determine root cause and to qualify alternatives.
• Lead, mentor and enable Aerospace colleagues to work cooperatively with customer personnel, and contractor personnel to guide risk assessments and mitigation that span the lifecycle; to include system development; assembly, integration, test, low rate initial production, and full production; assess readiness for new technology insertion in the component and radiation areas; recommend investments and data collection to assist customer in acquisition decision making.  

What You Need to be Successful]

Minimum Requirements for Senior Project Leader - Systems Engineerign:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with emphasis in electronic, micro-electronics and radiation testing OR closely related technical field
• 10 years of progressively more responsible engineering/scientific experience including experience leading a team, process, and/or projects from conception to completion.
• Previous experience working with vendors and other agencies to mitigate supply-chain issues.
• Experience with planning, developing, and executing procurement of specialized materials, and complex assemblies for a defense space Integrated Product Team (IPT), Program, or collection of Programs.
• Experience developing and performing supplier on-site assessments and root cause, corrective action investigations.
• Ability to build relationships across the government, SETAs, prime contractors and sub-tier suppliers and subject matter experts (SME).
• Experience developing a data strategy and curating data to inform risk.
• Perform complex assignments independently without appreciable direction exercising considerable latitude in determining objectives and approaches to assignment.
• Ability to travel occasionally.
• The position requires the ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. US 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 Electrical Engineering
• Experience with government or commercial space industry
• Experience developing, planning and executing on-site supplier assessments against AS9100 and supplier policy criteria to identify process shortfalls and concerns.
• Experience interfacing with manufacturers, vendors, specialists, and quality assurance practices
• Commercial industry experience in technical program management, electronics design, payload/subsystem development, and EEE parts/components engineering.
• Effective, concise, compelling communication skills.

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)

$155,900.00 - $233,900.00

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.