Space Vehicle Systems Engineering Senior Project Leader

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, 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 Material 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.

As a Space Vehicle Systems Engineering Senior Project Leader in the Space Domain Superiority Directorate, you will be the Aerospace Engineering lead technical representative to a Systems Program Manager (SPM) in the Systems Delta 89 portfolio. You will experience all phases of the space vehicle procure, design, build, integrate, test, launch, operate, and transfer life cycle and work closely with stakeholders across the national security space enterprise.

What You’ll be Doing

• Act as Aerospace Lead spokesperson for multiple technical working groups, advise the SPM (Lt Col), and SYD/89 leadership in formulating requirements, evaluating, and overseeing payload development, build, test, integration, and launch and early operations check out activities

• Plan, develop, forecast and maintain Aerospace hourly and financial budgets, and coordinate and secure support from customer for the staffing of those activities
• Lead the risks, issues, opportunities and associated mitigation strategies and corrective action working groups ​
• Responsible for ensuring successful execution of systems integration efforts between space, ground, crypto and exploitation segments
• Apply systems engineering, requirements, and test & verification/validation standard methodologies to assist the customer in development of acquisition documents required for execution of space, ground, and operations
• Lead systems of systems working groups and design reviews, shaping requirements definition, development, coordination, and approval of system capability documents, system requirements documents, and interface control documents ​
• Assess mission trades between segments and products for system-level design reviews to help identify optimal systems architecture designs ​
• Maintaining effective working relationships with customer leadership, UARC, SETA, and other FFRDC, capability-delivering contractors, Aerospace Engineering Technology Group (ETG) and other program office support organizations
• Acts as a senior mentor to team members, providing technical guidance to staff in both technical duties and program office responsibilities as well as development insights ​
• Providing oversight and management of program staffing budgets, including the identification and recruitment of subject matter experts to support systems acquisition activities 

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

What You Need to be Successful 
Minimum Requirements for Sr. Project Leader - Engineering Program Management: 

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant Engineering, Math, or Science subject area
• 12 or more years of engineering experience supporting space vehicle or space payload development projects 
• Track record of leading integrated multidisciplinary teams and ability to interface effectively with senior management from the Government customer and development contractors
• Strong background in Systems Engineering and Integration with demonstrated success in supporting the fielding of space systems. 
• Understanding of Space Force Organizations and how they relate to SYD89
• This position requires a current and active TS/SI/TK/G/HCS security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government; and U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. 
• Willingness to travel 10-15% of the time.

How You Can Stand Out  

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

• Extensive experience supporting classified program office activities
• Experience in space systems, space technology development, DoW acquisition processes and activities related do no harm, and multi-manifest integrated payload stacks.
• An understanding of the Adaptive/Agile Mission Assurance approach
• Experience with assembly, integration and test.
• Previous line or team management experience and/or Aerospace Corporation program office experience working with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Positive attitude, calm under pressure and ability to speak truth to power in a non-confrontational teaching manner.
• Proven ability to work in a high-pressure environment with constantly evolving priorities.
• Previous experience in the development and operation of prototype space vehicles or payloads.
• Experience with model-based system engineering (MBSE) tools, data ontologies/standards and model development. 

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.