Sr. Operations and Integration 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.

In the Vulcan Development and Operations (VDO) subdivision of DSG, we are seeking a Sr. Operations and Integration Engineer. This role will work across the technical seams of the team that procures the Vulcan rocket to ensure US Space Force warfighting needs are met, and working particularly closely with the System Engineering, Mission Engineering, and Launch Base Operations teams. The key job will be to identify bottlenecks in operations ahead of launch and work with the US Space Force branch leads and their support teams to resolve them with the contractor. As a member of the FFRDC team, this person will be counted on to bring industry leading solutions backed by sound decision making to ensure mission success is not compromised. The Vulcan rocket has been assigned the most exciting, unique, and critical launch missions. We seek someone to accelerate the operations and integration tempo of those missions, sustaining competitive space access into the future.

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

What You’ll Be Doing

• Work system engineering tasks as a member of the Vulcan NSSL program team
• Bridge technical effort across Vulcan systems, Mission Integration, and Launch Base teams
• Engage subject matter experts as needed from across Aerospace’s matrixed Engineering Technology Group to solve hard technical problems
• Recommend pragmatic solutions to technical and organizational challenges
• Effectively communicate status and progress of technical activities, issues and accomplishments through written reports and presentations to Aerospace, Government customers, and contractor teams
• Provide real-time support for tests, training, and launch of Vulcan missions
• Interact frequently and work closely with Aerospace management team

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Sr. Project Engineer – Systems Engineering:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in engineering or related technical discipline from a recognized institution
• 12 or more years of experience, relevant to launch vehicles, in at least one of the following technical areas:  assembly/integration/test, a vehicle system (e.g., propulsion), systems engineering, mission assurance
• Experience in leadership of multi-disciplinary teams, including matrixed support
• Experience with project management and development (including budgets), demonstrated ability to balance technical and warfighting perspectives
• Experience with systems engineering and requirements verification
• Experience with mission assurance/success processes and demonstrated ability to apply them in the NSSL program context
• Ability to travel on a regular basis (approximately once per month)
• Active and current DoD Secret clearance, issued by the US government is required, with the ability to obtain and maintain SCI access.  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 these:

• SCI clearance
• Advanced degree in one of the disciplines identified as relevant to the position
• Outstanding interpersonal and team building skills; demonstrated through work across organizations and up and down organizational levels
• Demonstrated complex problem solving, well-founded technical recommendations
• Able to work in high intensity, fast-paced environment with rapidly changing priorities, and highly demanding customer
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to present clear, concise briefings and write well-crafted reports and assessments
• Working knowledge of launch industry standards, practices, and organizations

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.