Sr. Deep Space Advanced Radar Project 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 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 Sr. Deep Space Advanced Radar Project Engineer within the Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Sensors & Analytics (S2A) department you will be the Aerospace systems engineering, integration, and test (SEIT) lead for the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) system acquisition program. This role will provide technical leadership for DARC hardware and software integration, working directly with DARC government and prime contractor personnel to help ensure seamless integration at both the system and enterprise levels for the protect and defend space mission area.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, CO.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Work closely and collaboratively with government leadership, the prime contractor, other FFRDCs, and SETA personnel
• Support integration and test of DARC hardware and software at the sub-system level as well as integration of DARC as a system of systems in the protect and defend mission area
• Identify program risks and, using reach back to Aerospace subject matter experts in the Engineering Technology Group, guide analyses to mitigate them
• Advise government customers on developmental and operational testing of the DARC system
• Contribute to development of program documentation as a member of integrated product teams

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Sr. Project Engineer – Communication Systems and Systems Engineering - Acquisition:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in Physics, Mathematics, Communications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering
• Twelve or more years of technical and programmatic experience, with at least six of these technical in more than one of the following: radar systems, RF systems, test and evaluation, or systems engineering
• Experience leading technical teams

• Familiarity with the space domain awareness mission area.
• Substantive experience with the DoD acquisition lifecycle gained through time in a systems program office, DoD laboratory or test organization, or other DoD acquisition-related organization.
• Proven ability to identify and assess technical and program risk areas.

• Willing to travel domestically/internationally approx. 10%
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US 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:

• Masters or PhD degree from an accredited program in Physics, Mathematics, Communications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering.
• Experience with ground-based space domain awareness radars that includes experience in system development, acquisition, testing, sustainment, or operations.
• Ability to resolve issues quickly by working closely with engineering and program office peers, customers, and contractor personnel.
• An active top secret (or higher) security clearance issued by the US government.

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.