Sr. Sentinel Payloads 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.

The Nuclear Operations Directorate has an immediate opening for a Sr. Sentinel Payloads Engineer to support the Sentinel missile system’s Integrated Product Teams. The Sentinel Program is developing the next generation of land based strategic deterrent for the Air Force. In this position you will function as a technical advisor to the Government supporting the development of the missile payload and reentry systems. This includes requirements definition, review and assessment of technical issues, review of all aspects of design, analysis, and testing.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility at Hill Air Force Base.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Work independently to provide direct, on-site support to the government in developing missile payload and reentry systems.
• Provide timely feedback on the technical correctness and completeness of contractor delivered hardware design requirements, architecture, design documentation, and algorithms to ensure viability and sustainability of mission critical hardware.
• Provide the Program Office with subject matter expertise on challenging technical issues such as the improvement of weapon system reliability, cyber security, safety and nuclear surety.
• Support unit and subsystem level qualification and acceptance testing requirements to ensure flight and mission success
• Review unit and subsystem level testing to ensure they satisfy defined testing requirements
• Support Program Office weapon system acquisition activities such as source selection and contract modifications.
• Support the Program Office by engaging with the contractor and subcontractors in systems engineering technical reviews, including System Requirements Review, Preliminary Design Review and Critical Design Review.
• Conduct special studies and analyses of challenging technical issues and write technical reports that assist the Program Office to make timely decisions.
• Provide front-line engagement to Sentinel leadership up to and including O-6/GS-15 level.
• Coordinate and manage reach-back activities with the Aerospace Engineering Technical Group (ETG) workforce located in El Segundo CA and other Aerospace locations as required.
• Incorporate systems engineering principles to support the development of the Sentinel weapon system and associated subsystems.
• Provide technical support and assessment through participation in technical interchange and working group meetings.
• Present technical and project status briefings to management and customers.
• This position could require up to 25% travel

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Sr. Project Engineer - Payloads Systems Engineering Eo:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical, Materials or Electrical Engineering.
• 12 or more years of industry or USAF experience
• Experience and expertise in missile payload systems. 
• Experience with the unique aspects of ICBM reentry systems, such as materials, fuzing, integration, electronics, countermeasure, etc.
• Experience in component and system level acceptance and qualification testing.
• Willingness to travel domestically approximately 25%.
• Possession of an active Secret security clearance and/or SCI access and willingness to maintain it, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Current SAP access or ability to obtain it.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Depth of understanding of ICBM reentry systems, their integration and function
• Experience with developing contract proposals or negotiating contract modifications.
• Experience in testing and evaluation unit and subsystem level hardware
• Utilization of systems engineering software tools such as Cameo, DOORS, etc. for the decomposition and evaluation of requirements.
• Active Top Secret clearance and willingness to maintain it.
• Master’s or Ph.D. degree from an accredited program in STEM field
• Experience working with the government and support contractors

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.