GPS Gen4 Satellite Lead

The Aerospace Corporation•Los Angeles, CA

14h•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’s Comm and Navigation Capabilities Division is bringing technical engineering capabilities to the fast-moving and highly impactful field of space-based navigation. We are leading the architecting, acquisition, and development of GPS Gen4, which is the next generation of GPS satellites that will be a proliferated constellation of small satellites, focusing on “new space” commercial companies and rapid fielding of new capabilities. The program will follow agile acquisition tenants to move fast in the modern contested environment. The team participates in a wide range of technical activities, including leading evaluation of new capabilities to shape the future of GPS, working with government, contractors, and military and civil GPS users to influence decisions on GPS satellites and Ground segments. We are looking for an enthusiastic GPS Gen4 Satellite Lead (Project Engineer/Sr. Project Engineer – Systems Engineering – Acquisition) with excellent communication, leadership, strategic thinking, and interpersonal skills to be shoulder to shoulder with the customer in defining the next generation of PNT space systems: GPS Gen4. The selected applicant will be required to interact with the USSF, Aerospace’s Engineering & Technology Group (ETG), and contractors in a customer-facing program office environment. This opportunity provides interaction with Aerospace senior management and experience in a program office environment, as well as builds close working relationships with government and contractor counterparts. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA at Los Angeles Air Force Base (LAAFB).

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, mathematics, or related technical discipline from a recognized institution
8 or more years of relevant experience in GPS and/or Satellite programs
Demonstrated ability to effectively develop and communicate recommendations and technical information to customer/management and succinctly inform through reports and briefings
Experience with one or more of the following: GPS, satellite development, program architecture, hardware production, mission integration, and/or test phases of the program life cycle
Willing to travel domestically, on average two days every two months
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance , which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
Typically, 12 years of relevant experience in GPS and/or Satellite programs
Experience acquiring and/or fielding satellite systems, including multiple phases of the development, production, integration, test, and operation timeline

Nice To Haves

Previous work leading and effectively managing projects and/or multi-disciplinary teams
Demonstrated experience identifying, communicating, and resolving technical problems of complex systems
Knowledge of GPS technology design or operation
Experience with optical terminal for crosslink applications
Experience with satellite RF payloads and phased array antennas
Recent application of current commercial space industry practices and technologies
Advanced technical degree in engineering, mathematics, or related technical discipline
Current Top-Secret clearance with the ability to get additional SCI clearances

Responsibilities

Engage with impact to help the USSF develop the acquisition strategy and reference architecture of GPS Gen4 satellites
Operate strategically in leading the development of the GPS Gen4 satellites, including technical performance assessments of new capabilities, risk management, and program execution acting as the technical representative to the USSF as the Satellite Lead
Foster innovation within small group trade studies to ensure the Gen4 program is agile and flexible while collaborating as part of a team that includes Aerospace, the government, and SE&I/SETA contractors
Lead change with the customer team to develop a way forward for future GPS acquisitions
Develop leadership briefings and reports, and provide technical data to the USSF and Aerospace management

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