Deputy Lead Engineer - Satellite Ground Systems
About The Position
The Deputy Lead Engineer in the Spectrum Systems Directorate, Special Programs Division, will support development and integration of an enterprise spacecraft command and control (C2) ground system for the Space Combat Power Portfolio Acquisition Executive. The role is part of a program team of approximately 50 government, FFRDC, SETA, and contractor personnel working to develop and field capabilities for the national security space enterprise. The position supports all phases of ground system development and assists the Lead Engineer with architecture development—including commercial cloud, CI/CD pipeline, ground C2, antenna networks, and cyber—as well as requirements management, schedule, testing, risk management, the program baseline, and engineering review boards. The program uses Agile software development and an iterative delivery approach. The selected candidate must work full-time on-site at the company’s facility in El Segundo, California, and must be able to travel.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, or a related STEM field.
- 12 or more years of progressively responsible experience in systems engineering or program management.
- Space systems experience, specifically satellite ground system development and operations.
- Working knowledge of Agile software development practices and events.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in team environments.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a highly dynamic program office environment with government, FFRDC, and SETA personnel.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including experience presenting and writing technical information for senior audiences.
- Ability to travel.
- Current TS/SCI security clearance with SAP eligibility; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or another technical discipline.
- Extensive satellite operations experience, including satellite ground system development and/or testing.
- Systems engineering experience with rapid-acquisition or rapid-prototyping operational systems.
- Experience as a chief engineer or deputy chief engineer of a space program.
- Hands-on experience with commercial cloud platforms such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud, including cloud architecture, containerization, infrastructure-as-code, and DevSecOps practices.
- Experience supporting Agile software development programs such as Scrum, SAFe, or similar, including familiarity with Agile metrics, tools such as Jira, Confluence, or GitLab, and government oversight of Agile contracts.
- Experience with cyber requirements, Authority to Operate (ATO) processes, and continuous ATO in cloud environments.
- Proven experience working with vendors to deliver large-scale, multi-component systems.
- Strong personal technical reputation and a record of technical achievement.
- Program office and management experience.
- Working knowledge of expertise across The Aerospace Corporation, especially subject matter experts and laboratory operations, and the ability to apply those resources to customer needs.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate with government, SETA, and contractor teams to field a critical ground system in a commercial cloud.
- Support program reviews, design, development, testing, and transition-to-operations efforts.
- Interpret requirements and ensure their implementation across ground system design, mission CONOPS, prototyping and testing, initial flight checkout, flight operations, and operational transition support.
- Provide mission assurance and support ground architecture development and integration in a commercial cloud environment.
- Participate in Agile events, including sprint planning, backlog refinement, program increment planning, and demonstrations, ensuring technical baselines and requirements are reflected in the development backlog.
- Identify risk areas and recommend mitigation strategies to meet mission objectives.
- Work closely with the Program Manager and serve as technical lead when the Lead Engineer is absent.
- Engage and oversee Aerospace Engineering Technology Group members to apply specialized expertise to issues beyond the local program office’s capacity.
- Present routine status updates to Senior Materiel Leaders.
- Interface with multiple government agencies to deliver capability to the warfighter.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
- Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
- Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options.
- 401(k) plan with company-paid contributions of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service, plus matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested upon hire.
- Flexible spending accounts.
- Variable pay program for exceptional contributions.
- Relocation assistance.
- Professional growth and development programs.
- Education assistance programs.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
