Missile Defense Target Engineer/Sr. Missile Defense Target Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•Huntsville, AL

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. Within DSG, the Strategic Deterrence and Defense Division is seeking a Missile Defense Target Engineer (Project Engineer/Senior Project Engineer) position primarily supporting the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Targets and Countermeasures Program. Target systems are used to test, verify, and validate performance of the missile defense system and include launch vehicles, payloads, and launch support equipment. The objective is to simulate threats ranging from Short Range Ballistic Missiles up to Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles with air and ground launching modes. Target vehicles are critical to demonstrating the operational effectiveness, suitability, and survivability of the missile defense system. The person in this role will lead Aerospace’s support efforts to provide technical guidance in the design, development, integration, and delivery of threat-representative, reliable, and cost-effective targets and countermeasures for the missile defense system. They will work with a combined team of government, private contractors, FFRDC/UARC, and SETA personnel performing mission assurance reviews, engineering design assessment, support development testing, and fielding of targets and payloads to advance the U.S. Missile Defense Capabilities. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Huntsville, AL.

Requirements

Bachelor’s of Science 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 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, up to 10% of the time, to customer or contractor locations as required
Active SECRET security clearance (or higher) 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
Proven experience leading investigations for Failure Review Boards, developing mission risk assessments, and recommending feasible mitigation paths
Demonstrated experience in leading working group meetings with diverse stakeholders

Nice To Haves

Masters or Ph.D. degree in an engineering field from an accredited institutions
Expert knowledge in a missile system discipline
Strong Systems Engineering background
Experience Supporting the Missile Defense Agency’s Targets, Quality and Safety, or Interceptor Programs
Experience with solid motor propulsion, structural mechanics, or ordnance systems

Responsibilities

Collaborate directly with MDA’s Targets program office to provide agile mission assurance for design, production, testing, and fielding of the threat-representative targets
Coordinate with Aerospace subject matter experts to provide technical advisory services to the Missile Defense Agency
Lead assessments of technical analyses in support of target subsystems/systems design and mission planning
Conduct independent reviews of Target unit, sub-system, and system development, acceptance, and qualification testing protocols, technical reports, and analysis reports
Participate in failure review boards, anomaly investigations, and lead independent risk assessments
Participate in major milestone reviews for target system

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