Human Spaceflight Systems Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

5d•$100,300 - $175,900•Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Human Spaceflight Systems Engineer at the Senior Member of Technical Staff or Project Engineer level to support NASA programs through integration activities and program office roles. The position supports development, analysis, integration, and implementation of human spaceflight architectures, mission plans, operational activities, and spacecraft and surface-system definitions. The engineer will coordinate across Artemis transportation and Moonbase efforts to address inflight, orbital, and surface operations. The selected candidate must work full-time on-site at one of the company’s facilities in Houston, Texas; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Merritt Island, Florida; or El Segundo, California. Occasional domestic and international travel to a work location or customer site is expected, approximately 10–25%. The position may require the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain one. The Senior Member of Technical Staff level requires a bachelor’s degree in a related STEM discipline and at least three years of relevant experience. The Project Engineer level requires a bachelor’s degree, at least six years of relevant experience, and demonstrated technical leadership; a master’s degree is preferred. The role offers an annual grade-based pay range of $100,300 to $175,900. Individual compensation depends on factors including education, experience, knowledge, and skills.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or another related STEM discipline.
For the Senior Member of Technical Staff level: at least 3 years of experience in systems engineering, mission operations, or human spaceflight programs.
For the Project Engineer level: at least 6 years of experience in systems engineering, mission operations, or human spaceflight programs.
Experience in human exploration architecture, integration, and mission operations, with the ability to lead technical tasks.
Knowledge and application of the engineering program lifecycle, including requirements development, design reviews, and verification and validation processes.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and influence technical decisions.
Strong presentation and communication skills, including explaining complex technical concepts to technical and managerial audiences.
Ability to work across diverse teams and engineering disciplines, including human-in-the-loop disciplines.
Experience with systems engineering tools and methodologies, such as model-based systems engineering and requirements management tools.
Track record of delivering technical products and meeting program milestones.
Willingness to travel occasionally, domestically and internationally, approximately 10–25%.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance may be required; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.
For the Project Engineer level: demonstrated technical leadership, including leading complex technical efforts, managing cross-functional teams, and driving technical strategy across multiple programs.
For the Project Engineer level: expert-level knowledge of the engineering program lifecycle and experience leading phases from concept through operations.
For the Project Engineer level: ability to make final technical recommendations, manage technical baselines, and represent the organization in high-level technical forums with NASA, industry partners, and international stakeholders.
For the Project Engineer level: experience managing technical performance metrics, identifying programmatic risks, and developing mitigation strategies.
For the Project Engineer level: advanced proficiency with systems engineering tools and digital engineering methodologies.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or PhD in engineering, science, or another related STEM discipline.
At least 5 years of experience working directly with NASA programs, processes, and teams.
Background designing and developing human-based operations for spaceflight missions.
Experience coordinating with international partners such as ESA, JAXA, or CSA and commercial space vendors.
Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP), Professional Engineer (PE), or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Direct experience with Artemis, Gateway, ISS, or other lunar or deep-space exploration programs.
Published technical papers, patents, or contributions to aerospace or systems engineering industry standards.
Experience with Agile systems engineering or other modern development methodologies.
Master’s degree preferred for the Project Engineer-Systems Engineering level.

Responsibilities

Serve in the program office as a connector across exploration topics, including Moonbase, nuclear, science, and Artemis transportation initiatives.
Define operational technical requirements for programs.
Perform assessments and readiness evaluations.
Collaborate with NASA mission architects and designers, and program experts across government and industry.
Review contractor deliverables and NASA requirements for compliance and effectiveness in supporting operational needs.
Contribute to standards development and documentation supporting exploration operations, and manage key program plans and products.
Support facility and infrastructure topics and planning.
Participate in technical, safety, and integration working groups.
Develop technical and progress reports for internal teams and external partners.
Support technical interchange meetings, hardware reviews, and key design milestones.
Prepare clear, actionable reports and presentations for program offices.
At the Project Engineer level, lead complex technical efforts, manage cross-functional teams, drive technical strategy across programs, make final technical recommendations, manage technical baselines, represent the organization in high-level forums, and manage technical performance metrics, risks, and mitigation strategies.

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.
Inclusive work environment based on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.