Mission Assurance and Launch Operations Engineering Lead
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. The Golden Dome missile defense system aims to counter the threat of ballistic, hypersonic, and other advanced threats from peer and near-peer adversaries as directed within the presidential executive order. Within the Golden Dome architecture, the Space-Based Interceptor (SBI) Program Office seeks to develop and deploy a proliferated constellation of space-based interceptors capable of boost-phase engagement of adversary missiles. The SBI interceptors will employ a Fire Control capability that is integrated with the overall Golden Dome missile defense system. We are seeking a Mission Assurance and Launch Operations Engineering Leader to directly support the SBI Program Office to advise to the development of this novel missile defense capability. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Huntsville, AL.
Requirements
- Bachelor's or advanced degree 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, missile systems or mission assurance related work
- Demonstrated experience coordinating and leading multidiscipline technical teams formed to solve complex aerospace challenges
- Familiarity with Military, SSC, and Industry testing standards applicable to launch vehicles
- Maintain relationships with a diverse Aerospace staff spanning multiple locations and time zones and achieve responsiveness to customer-rapid response tasking
- Communicate effectively with senior Customer, Contractor, and Aerospace management
- Be cognizant of emerging issues, findings and special technical focus areas that need attention
- Willing to travel approx. 25% of the time as required
- This position requires a Top Secret/SCI clearance, issued by the US government. US citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.
- 12 or more years of experience in launch vehicles, missile systems or mission assurance related work
- Experience leading programs for Military, SSC, and Industry testing standards applicable to launch vehicles
- Develop and maintain relationships with a diverse Aerospace staff, senior Customers and Contractors, spanning multiple locations and time zones and achieve responsiveness to customer-rapid response tasking
Nice To Haves
- Masters or PhD degree in appropriate engineering, physics, mathematics, or equivalent technical disciplines
- Direct Mission Assurance Experience - Demonstrated track record leading hardware pedigree reviews, non-conformance assessments, and quality assurance processes for complex aerospace or defense systems, particularly for flight-critical hardware
- Ballistic Missile or Launch Vehicle Background - Hands-on experience with ballistic missile systems, launch vehicles, or rocket propulsion systems, including familiarity with staging, trajectory analysis, and flight test operations
- Multi-Organization Leadership Skills - Proven ability to lead technical reviews and coordinate across diverse stakeholder groups including government agencies, prime contractors, FFRDCs, and SETA support teams in high-stakes programs
- Integration & Test Campaign Experience - Direct involvement in the full lifecycle from design review through integration, ground testing, and flight test execution for complex multi-component systems with high reliability requirements
Responsibilities
- Collaborate directly with SBI program office to provide agile mission assurance for design, production, testing, and launch in support of test and production.
- Assemble teams of appropriate Aerospace subject matter experts to support mission assurance launch operations
- Travel to vendor facilities as well as space ports for evaluation and technical support
- Development, coordination, execution, and approval of technical assessments and analyses
- This role is uniquely positioned to ensure the SBI program office launch campaigns are successful
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
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
