Lead SATCOM Payload Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•Los Angeles, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Lead SATCOM Payload Engineer for the Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS) program, the next-generation nuclear command, control, and communication (NC3) satellite system. The position serves as the technical leader for payload engineering within an integrated program office supporting the U.S. Space Force. The role provides technical leadership across payload subsystems and trusted technical advice to government customers, while helping align acquisition strategies with mission capability requirements. The payload portfolio includes phased-array antennas, crosslinks, and modem/digital processing subsystems. The selected candidate will lead an experienced Aerospace program office payload team and work regularly with Space Force leadership, Aerospace personnel, support contractors, and prime contractors. The role includes assessing contractor execution, advising on payload architecture and performance, coordinating technical teams, and supporting program execution through systems engineering. The position is full-time and on-site at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, with travel to contractor and vendor facilities as required. Active Top Secret and SBI clearance is required; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or science from a recognized institution, or a related STEM field.
At least 12 years of progressively responsible professional engineering or scientific experience working across government programs.
Demonstrated space systems engineering skills, including the ability to explain to customers how specific issues connect to the broader program.
Significant experience with satellite communications hardware and/or digital or analog waveform processing.
Experience leading cross-organizational technical efforts with a high level of innovation, creativity, and initiative.
Experience monitoring and assisting in the development of budgets and resource allocations, and initiating acquisition of technical support from appropriate corporate resources.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in multidisciplinary teams involving colleagues, government personnel, and contractors.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including developing technical materials and presenting to key stakeholders and senior leaders; a writing sample and presentation are required.
Ability to act as a senior mentor, providing team members with technical guidance and development insight.
Ability to travel to contractor and vendor facilities as required.
Active Top Secret and SBI clearance required.
U.S. citizenship required to obtain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience with mission assurance principles and practices.
Familiarity with IEEE 15288.2, the IEEE Standard for Application of Systems Engineering on Defense Programs.
Understanding of space system acquisition.
MILSATCOM program office experience.
Familiarity with Aerospace culture and prior experience coordinating with the Engineering & Technology Group (ETG).
Advanced technical degree in engineering, science, physics, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Lead the Aerospace program office payload team.
Advise Aerospace leadership and the customer on prime contractor execution status, payload risks, issues, and opportunities.
Maintain effective working relationships with customer leadership, contractors, ETG, and other supporting contractors.
Manage allocated resources and prioritize tasking for ETG subject matter experts.
Collaborate with ETG to deliver technical position papers, design assessments, and briefings on technical, cost, and schedule risks related to communications payload design and implementation.
Serve as a senior technical advisor to the Space Force customer on payload architecture and performance.
Lead or coordinate technical team integration and represent working groups to management and customers.
Monitor and assess contractor performance and delivery under space, ground, and crypto contracts related to ESS payload design and implementation.
Apply systems engineering principles in support of the program's execution phase.
Mentor less experienced MTS and serve as a role model.
Travel to contractor and vendor facilities as required.

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 a company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service, plus matching contributions; immediate eligibility and vesting upon hire.
Flexible spending accounts.
Variable pay program for exceptional contributions.
Relocation assistance.
Professional growth and development programs.
Education assistance programs.
Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.