Sr. Ground System 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 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 Ground Systems Engineer (Senior Project Engineer - Systems Engineering) in the Space Rapid Capabilities Directorate within the Agile Acquisition Division will support the development and integration of a critical ground system for the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SpRCO). The SpRCO is rapidly developing and fielding highly classified critical space capabilities for the space enterprise. The Ground Systems Engineer will actively participate in all phases of the ground development to ensure operationally dominant space capabilities are delivered at the speed of warfighting relevance. This includes technical support for vehicle to ground system integration, development of command and control services, providing engineering support and contractor oversight of the acquisition, development of evolving system architectures to support operations testing, readiness, and on-orbit operations.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM, or Colorado Springs, CO.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Coordinate with Government, SETA, and contractor teams to field a critical ground system
• Support program reviews, design, development, test, and transition to operations efforts
• Understand and ensure implementation of requirements for ground system design, mission concept of operations, prototype and test, initial flight checkout, flight operations, and operational transition support
• Provide mission assurance and assist with ground architecture development and integration efforts in a commercial cloud environment
• Identify risk areas and mitigation efforts to meet mission objectives
• Work closely with Program Manager (O-5)
• Solicit and oversee members of the Aerospace Engineering Technical Group (ETG) to employ their expertise on critical problems the local program office may find difficult to solve
• Routinely present status updates to Senior Material Leaders (O-6) and Space SpRCO Director (SES-2)
• Interface with multiple government agencies to provide capability to the warfighter

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements - Senior Project Engineer - Systems Engineering:

• BS degree in engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, or related STEM field is required
• Space experience is required (satellite ground development and operations)
• 12 or more years of progressively responsible experience in systems engineering or program management
• Demonstrated ability to work within teams
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly dynamic Program Office environment with a mix of government, FFRDC, and SETA personnel
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills; experience presenting and writing technical information
• Travel is required
• This position requires a current TS/SCI security clearance with SAP eligibility, 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:

• Advanced degree in technical discipline (engineering, science or math)
• Extensive satellite operations experience to include satellite ground system development and / or testing
• Extensive satellite design / integration Systems Engineering experience
• Systems Engineering experience with rapid operational systems
• An excellent personal technical reputation and a record of personal technical achievement
• Program office and management experience
• Working knowledge of expertise from across the Aerospace corporation, especially subject matter experts and laboratory operations with the ability to support customer needs

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)

$151,300.00 - $226,900.00

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.