OPIR Ground Deputy Chief Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation

21h•Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is a trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving complex problems and providing technical expertise. As an operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), the company is engaged across all aspects of space, delivering innovative solutions for defense, civil, and commercial customers. The Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy, strategy, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction for the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG also offers deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch, and operations of various space systems. This position is for an OPIR Ground Deputy Chief Engineer (Sr. Project Leader – Cyber Security & Cloud Computing Architecture) within the Colorado-based Space-Based Sensing Division, supporting SSC FORGE acquisition efforts. The Missile Warning and Tracking Ground, Exploitation, and Operations Subdivision (MWT GEOSD) provides technical and programmatic support for heritage and future Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) missile warning and tracking ground systems. The Deputy Chief Engineer for MWT GEOSD will act as the deputy chief architect and mission area end-to-end infrastructure subject matter expert to the GEOSD Systems Director for Operations and GEOSD Chief Engineer within the USSF SSC Strategic Missile Warning Ground and Integration Acquisition Delta. This role involves providing technical and programmatic leadership in defining, acquiring, and operationalizing cyber-secure Next-Generation OPIR ground capabilities, implementing state-of-the-art industry solutions, including commercial cloud, to advance the DoW OPIR enterprise. This is a fully on-site position based at Buckley Space Force Base.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, or closely related technical field
12 or more years of progressively demonstrated MWT engineering experience, including leading multi-disciplinary system engineering teams in a program oversight environment.
Experience leading complex operational acceptance (OA) campaigns to field new ground systems to MW operations.
Strong background in leading teams in ground systems, software development and cloud engineering
Experience with National Security Space (NSS) ground system architectures development, test, and operationalization.
Experience running ITW/AA certification oversight processes.
Experience driving and bringing inherently cyber secure solutions to bear for MW operational use.
Experience establishing and maintaining trusted relationships with government customers, prime and support contractors, and key stakeholders under minimal supervision.
This position requires a current and active TS/SCI clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government.
U.S. citizenship is required.

Nice To Haves

Advanced STEM degree
12 or more years of progressively demonstrated MWT engineering experience, including leading multi-disciplinary system engineering teams in a program oversight environment.
Experience managing OPIR missile warning system infrastructure, including ancillary systems
Experience with on-premises cloud deployment, migration and/or operations
Experience working through cybersecurity accreditation in Space Force or DoD programs
Understanding of current DoD acquisition practices

Responsibilities

Support the Chief Engineer and Systems Director for Operations, and within delegated roles and responsibilities, act as the lead technical authority for the Next-Generation OPIR missile warning ground segment acquisition activities.
Serve as the leader of a team of multi-agency, multi-discipline technical and programmatic leaders and contributors across missile warning ground system development efforts, ensuring successful incorporation of OPIR data from multiple sources.
Execute the role of on-site US Government Deputy Chief Engineer, with delegated authority for on-site design, architecture, and change control for all FORGE-based, SSC-owned systems being fielded, operationally accepted, and operationally used in the SBIRS MCS.
Drive on-site delivery of next-generation OPIR prototype and development capabilities to operational usage, including new ground systems and incremental capability upgrades.
Incorporate best-in-breed industry solutions, with heavy emphasis on cloud-native concepts, designs, architectures, and solutions, into the OPIR MWT architecture.
Implement on-premises cloud platform solutions designed for specific OPIR MWT mission sets.
Drive cyber resilience into all layers of the ground system solution.
Implement the overall “cyber secure by default” approach to development, integration, fielding, and operations, based on cybersecurity engineering principles and the cybersecurity confidentiality-integrity-availability engineering triad.
Support influencing key Government and contractor stakeholders to move forward with proposed next-generation networking capabilities, including heritage and next-generation operational network interfaces and approaches.
Evaluate and recommend changes to enhance the long-term sustainment and viability of the proposed implementations.
Support the Chief Engineer on solution consultations on other parts of the MWT mission area, including but not limited to WT-5, S2E2, UGNT, and other nascent/developing concepts.
Mentor less-experienced personnel and serve as role model to help implement a talent pipeline for junior staff to become MWT mission area experts.
Exemplify Aerospace corporate values of objectivity and integrity while serving as a trusted agent to our government customers.

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