Glide Phase Interceptor Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•Huntsville, AL

11d•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. DSG is seeking a qualified Glide Phase Interceptor Engineer (Project Engineer/Senior Project Engineer) who will primarily support the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) Program with occasional support for MDA Target vehicles. The Glide Phase Interceptor’s (GPI) objective is to engage and neutralize hypersonic threats in the glide phase pursuing the Missile Defense Agency’s mission to develop and deploy a layered Missile Defense System to defend the United States, its deployed forces, and allies. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to make critical contributions to the GPI program from an early design stage to ensure high reliability and compatibility with the Aegis Weapon System. The selected candidate will work with a combined team of government, private contractors, FFRDC/UARC, International partners, and SETA personnel performing programmatic, mission assurance reviews, engineering design and development, system production and fielding GPIs to advance the US Missile Defense Capabilities. Frequent interaction with other MDA Directorate personnel, contractors, subcontractors, and international personnel is expected. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in either Huntsville, AL or El Segundo, CA.

Requirements

Accredited bachelor’s degree or higher in appropriate engineering, physics, mathematics, or equivalent technical disciplines such as aerospace, electrical, or mechanical or systems engineering
8 or more years of experience in launch vehicles or missile systems
Demonstrated experience coordinating and leading multidiscipline technical teams formed to solve complex technical aerospace challenges.
Familiarity with Military, SMC, and Industry testing standards applicable to launch vehicles
Experience speaking and presenting technical material to government engineers and leaders.
Willingness to travel to customer or contractor locations up to 20% as required (Continental U.S. with occasional overseas travel)
Active SECRET security clearance or higher, which is issued by the U.S. Government.
U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
12 or more years of experience in launch vehicles or missile systems
Experience leading investigations for Failure Review Boards, developing mission risk assessments, and recommending feasible mitigation paths
Demonstrated experience leading working group meetings composed of diverse stakeholders

Nice To Haves

Accredited Masters or Ph.D. degree in an engineering field
Expert knowledge in a missile system discipline
Strong Systems Engineering background
Experience Supporting the Missile Defense Agency Targets, Quality and Safety, or Interceptor Programs
Experience with proposals technical evaluations, environmental testing, and testing requirements tailoring

Responsibilities

Directly work with MDA’s GPI program office to provide agile mission assurance for design, production, test, and fielding of the Glide Phase Interceptors
Facilitate communication between Government and Industry partners to coordinate testing requirements, testing assets, identify testing facilities to enable GPI’s development
Lead working group meetings between US and international partners accommodating different time zones
Coordinate with Aerospace subject matter experts to provide technical advisory services to the Missile Defense Agency
Lead technical assessments of technical analyses, assess design review of various interceptor subsystems of new interceptor systems design, development, test, production, fielding, and post flight data
Conduct independent reviews of interceptor unit, sub-system, and system development, acceptance, and qualification testing protocols, technical reports, and analysis reports.
Participate in missile system major milestone reviews

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