Space Cybersecurity Engineering Lead

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 Enterprise Cybersecurity & Integration (EC&I) organization supports SSC/S6 Cyber & Data organization in advancing resilient and cybersecure mission systems across the acquisition lifecycle.  The focus is on applying systems engineering and architecture principles to define cybersecurity capabilities and solutions that enable system-level design and assessment.  The Space Cybersecurity Engineering Lead will collaborate with customers to identify projects to address their needs, establish teams to fulfill project needs, and communicate project status and results to corporate and customer leadership.  A key focus is developing cybersecurity architecture and capability definitions for SSC Space Vehicle (SV) Systems, spanning bus, payloads, and onboard subsystems

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

What You’ll Be Doing

Space Vehicle Systems Architecture and Capability

• Lead Space Vehicle cybersecurity architectures supporting SSC mission systems and customers
• Define and maintain SV Systems cybersecurity capability structures using systems engineering principles
• Translate mission and intent into architecture-level constructs and expected system behavior
• Define how cybersecurity capabilities are evaluated and validated within SV systems
• Define measurable outcomes for cybersecurity effectiveness (e.g., containment, detection, mission impact)
• Direct MBSE/modeling teams to ensure accurate representation of cybersecurity capabilities, trust boundaries, and enforcement points, with full traceability from capability through architecture to system elements.

Program Office and Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage proactively and strategically with stakeholders across the space and cybersecurity communities to validate and refine Space Vehicle systems cybersecurity approaches
• Translate technical outputs into program-usable guidance and artifacts
• Identify and lead matrixed Aerospace engineering staff and project teams to address cybersecurity challenges.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Senior Project Engineer - Cyber Security Architecture & Engineering Program Management:

• Bachelor or higher degree from an accredited technical program in engineering, computer science or other applicable degree.
• 10 years of related relevant professional experience in cybersecurity, systems engineering, or architecture roles
• Demonstrated experience applying cybersecurity to embedded, mission-critical, or constrained system environments
• Demonstrated experience translating cybersecurity into system architecture decisions
• Demonstrated ability to define how system solutions are evaluated, including performance under failure or degraded conditions
• Willing to travel domestically approximately 10%.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to acquire a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• A Masters or PhD degree in applicable STEM areas
• Experience with space vehicle systems, payloads, or comparable embedded mission systems
• Experience applying Zero Trust frameworks or other cybersecurity approaches to constrained, autonomous, or disconnected systems
• Experience working with MBSE/digital engineering teams
• Experience with threat-informed engineering, resilience analysis, or mission assurance

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)

$166,400.00 - $249,600.00

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.