Space Ground 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 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.

The Enterprise Ground Systems Department provides analysis, recommendations, and studies to the SIGINT satellite program offices. Keen insights, best practices, and acquisition acumen drive support to the government’s mission of defining, acquiring, and maintaining enterprise ground systems to support current and future architectures. The program office works to define tasks and actively engage with the Aerospace Engineering Technology Group to bring the best of talent to solve space ground system hard problems.

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

What You’ll Be Doing

• Compute Architecting: Provide analysis and recommendations on cloud, hybrid, and dedicated processing and storage architecture, transition, and management.
• System Design & Acquisition: Analyze and recommend solutions for ground system architecture, software design, acquisition strategies, operations, sustainment, and maintenance.
• Segment Integration: Define space-to-ground and ground-to-ground integration plans, including requirements verification and cross-disciplinary coordination with spacecraft systems and flight software teams.
• Technical project leadership:  Define and manage tasking to a team of support engineering staff and monitor delivery of professional engineering studies, recommendations, and analysis.
• Requirements Engineering: Develop and analyze system requirements for engineering models, simulations, test beds, special test equipment, and end-to-end integration testing.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Senior Project Engineer – Software Architecture Engineering & Cloud Computing Architecture:

• Bachelor’s OR Advanced degree in engineering, science or mathematics.
• Minimum 12 years’ experience with multiple aspects of space ground systems experience such as cloud implementation, enterprise integration, space vehicle to ground integration, ground systems development, and new technology insertion into existing systems.
• Demonstrated technical leadership and strong interpersonal skills required for interacting with Aerospace peers, internal and external customers, and contractor representatives.
• Must be technically persuasive with strong written and verbal skills.
• Must have demonstrated the ability to clearly define technical tasks, form and lead technical teams, and work well in a team environment.
• This position requires an active TS/SCI and polygraph, which is issued by the US 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 the following:

• Advanced degree in Engineering, Science or Mathematics.
• SIGINT Mission domain knowledge (e.g., system requirements, system integration and testing, spacecraft subsystems, manufacturing, test, and/or spacecraft operations.
• Publication of applicable command media, training material, and/or technical papers.
• Demonstrated experience on space ground systems sustainment or recapitalizing of hardware and software.

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.