Sr. Space Domain Awareness Force Design 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 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.

This position will provide leadership and technical expertise to the Space Security and Defense Program (SSDP) for Space Domain Awareness (SDA) force design and analysis - related tasks.  SSDP is a fast-paced organization that works complex space enterprise problems in a multi-level classification environment. The ideal candidate will be responsible for leading, guiding and advancing Aerospace SSDP SDA technical analysis for the Colorado Springs-based team.  Duties include leading an analysis driven work plan supported by sound engineering judgement, data, testing and strategic foresight to enable government decisions on strategic and operational responses to emerging threats; defining technical tasks and leading matrixed teams of technical and intelligence experts from our  Engineering and Technology Group (ETG), Project West Wing (PWW) and other engineers / analysts; and  ensuring timely and quality reporting to Aerospace and customers.

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

Colorado Springs, CO.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Translate abstract customer needs into specific analysis questions and plans for execution
• Lead technical assessments and strategic planning for SSDP in the SDA mission area
• Organize and lead multi-disciplinary teams in the strategic development of new capabilities and workflows
• Provide architecture level acquisition support, studies, and analysis
• Participate in engagement activities with a variety of mission partners across government as well as diverse industry partners
• Develop, communicate, and defend Aerospace technical positions on a wide variety of program assessments and key technical and operational questions  to both customer and Aerospace senior management
• Participate in significant interaction with staff from Aerospace’s ETG to ensure appropriate tasking, progress and results
• Operate as a direct interface to the government program leadership and interface with all levels of Aerospace, customer, and contractor personnel
• Be self-motivated to search for and recognize technical and programmatic issues and develop related solutions
• Mentor and support the growth of junior members of the team as well as key Aerospace ETG staff
• This position requires some travel

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements Sr. Project Engineer – Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering:

• Bachelor's degree in an appropriate technical/STEM-related discipline from a recognized institution
• 12 years of experience in government SSA/SDA acquisition and/or operations, with a preference for experience which spans SSA/SDA and Space Control mission areas
• A proven history of applying engineering skills and best practices to the resolution of complex problems
• Demonstrated ability to interface between organizations across the broader DoD and National Security Space Enterprise
• Demonstrated ability to organize and lead the activities of technical staff and contribute to the efforts of multi-disciplinary teams
• Ability to develop and defend technical positions based on complex analysis sets
• Ability to work in a highly dynamic environment with quickly changing priorities and activities
• Direct experience with SDA sensors and systems
• Familiarity with space security concepts/mission and US capabilities and vulnerabilities to new and emerging threats.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.  Must show initiative and leadership and require minimal management oversight
• Active Top Secret SCI clearance and eligible for SAP/SAR clearances, which are issued by the US government. US Citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Applicant must be willing to take a US government administered polygraph test.
   

How You Can Stand Out

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

• M.S. or Ph.D. in engineering, mathematics, or science
• 12 years of experience in government SSA/SDA acquisition and/or operations, with a preference for experience which spans SSA/SDA and Space Control mission areas
• Experience in SDA concepts, strategies, and architectures
• Experience with optical or radar remote sensing systems
• Familiarity with Aerospace’s Engineering and Technology Group modeling, simulation, and analysis capabilities

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.