Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS) System Test Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

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. Aerospace serves as the trusted technical and programmatic advisor to the Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS) Program Office for the system development, integration, and transition to operations within an aggressive timeline. This is your opportunity to lead at the forefront – directly influencing the acquisition for the ESS Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) system. The range of work includes evaluation of system architectures and integration and testing of the ground, space, and crypto segment capabilities. Join a team where your expertise matters, your ideas shape national security, and your impact is reflected across acquisition strategies and operational deliveries.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements - Senior Project Engineer - Systems Engineering – Acquisition and Systems Engineering
Bachelor’s degree in science, mathematics, or engineering discipline
12 or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in integration and test
Experience with specific phases of system assessments to include system requirements breakdown, test design/design of experiments, test planning, test execution, and test reporting
Experience with DoD, USAF, and/or USSF Test and Evaluation policy, guidance, and best practices
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams
Proven ability to establish and maintain trusted relationships with government customers, SETA contractors, and key stakeholders
Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills for interactions at all levels of government and corporate leadership
This position requires an active Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance issued by the U.S. government.
U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
Willingness to travel domestically up to 10% of the time

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree in a relevant technical area
Experience working large, complex issues and the ability to break down problems into meaningful steps to accomplish with a team
Program office and management experience; experience directing matrixed technical support teams
Proficiency in DoD/IC space systems
Experience with SATCOM/MILSATCOM technologies and operations
Experience with developing, testing, and/or operating space systems
Experience working in a program office with a government customer is desirable
In-depth knowledge of DoD acquisitions, satellite communication, cyber operations, and ground systems

Responsibilities

Provide technical leadership to the ESS program office in developing and executing an integrated system test campaign across a multi-contractor system baseline
Work shoulder-to-shoulder with government, SETA, SE&I and other FFRDC leads to ensure system test is well-integrated with the broader program systems engineering approach
Support government collaboration with key external test organizations to include those responsible for conducting OT&E
Lead the test team in proactively identifying test related risk and opportunity trades, executing technical assessments of contractor test artifacts and present findings to government decision makers
Conduct risk and opportunity trades, and assessing contractor test artifacts for adequacy and integration into the broader system test flow

Benefits

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