Sr. Space Security EW/RF Operational 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 Space Security and Defense Program (SSDP) Electromagnetic Warfare (EWD) Department team is seeking a Sr. Space Security EW/RF Operational Engineer  to provide operationally focused space solutions for warfighter and end user in support of our Department of War (DoW), Intelligence Community (IC), and civil customers.  We serve as the United States Space Force’s (USSF) point integrating modeling and simulation tools, future threat analysis, emerging technologies along with Service and Combatant Commander strategic visions to craft force Designs.  Do you want to have a positive impact on the present and future space enterprise? Join us on the SSDP team at The Aerospace Corporation!

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

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading and coordinating multi-disciplinary teams of ETG technical specialists to advise Space Security and Defense Program (SSDP) on technical and analytical approaches, force design, systems engineering, and development of systems and capabilities for customers across multi-phase projects.
• Managing technical contributions in electromagnetic warfare (EW) and SATCOM RF expertise, investigating urgent technical problems as needed.  
• Directing systems engineering efforts to include requirements development, system concept development/evaluation, design review, system integration, and test campaign support.
• Providing expertise for identifying, developing, evaluating, and testing modifications and enhancements to EW architectures.
• Leading team efforts to identify, develop, evaluate, and test modifications and enhancements to EW architectures, including conducting link budget analyses for a wide range of frequency bands, satellites, and ground systems.
• Working cooperatively across the organization to identify common program challenges and risks, provide enterprise recommendations, and lead issues to closure.
• Interacting directly with government organizations including SSDP, US Space Command, US Space Force and their subordinate field commands and relevant squadrons, Intelligence Community (IC) partners, other Service partners, and Combatant Commands.  
• Identifying needed expertise and leading analytic teams from Aerospace Engineering and Technology Group (ETG) technical specialists to address customers’ key technical hard questions and challenges through data driven analysis.
• Working closely and effectively with external partners in integrated product teams that include government, contractor, and FFRDC members as an architectural thinker and thought leader.
• Communicating effectively with all levels of corporate management through timely reporting of technical issues and recommendations.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements Senior Project Engineer – Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering:

• Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution in engineering, mathematics, or technical science.
• 12 or more years of increasingly responsible and related engineering/scientific experience, preferably including operational experience with relevant systems and/or systems engineering with system development or analysis.
• Previous systems engineering or test and evaluation support on DoD, IC, or Civil satellite systems.
• Experience in EW, SATCOM, or RF systems, with specific knowledge of EW techniques (such as anti-jamming) and key SATCOM and/or RF sensor link budget variables.
• Possess insight and understanding of satellite operations and missions, customers, and needs involved with the programs.
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems, deal with ambiguity, and work proactively within a dynamic environment where priorities may change.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers.
• Proven ability to lead technical analyses, aligning individuals around common mission objectives.
• Experience working with government customers.
• Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site approx. if required.   
• This position requires an active Top Secret SCI security clearance; eligible for SAP/SAR which is issued by the U.S. 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 from a recognized institution in engineering, mathematics, or technical science.
• SATCOM RF performance analysis expertise using advanced modeling and simulation tools, with ability to consider enterprise implications and communicate technical findings to diverse stakeholders in support of strategic objectives
• Experience developing software applications and tools supporting performance analysis or data manipulation using modern object-oriented or scripting languages. 
• Experience developing or implementing communication architectures, aligning technical solutions with mission requirements
• Experience developing, implementing, or operating C2 systems with understanding of how these systems contribute to broader mission objectives and operational effectiveness
• Experience supporting operational units such as 21 SW, Mission Delta 3, 1st Space Brigade, etc.
• Experience working with SWAC, SSDP, US Space Force, US Space Command, IC, other Service, or COCOM customers fostering exchange of information and aligning teams around common mission goals.
• Experience with digital engineering and/or agile approaches to analysis and development activities, leading change initiatives and communicating future possibilities
• Active Top Secret security clearance with SCI access and SAP/SAR access

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.