SATCOM Payload Engineer
About The Position
The Aerospace Corporation seeks a SATCOM Payload Engineer to provide technical advisory services for the Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS) program, the next-generation nuclear command, control, and communications satellite system. Supporting an integrated program office for the U.S. Space Force, this role focuses on satellite RF payload subsystems, including phased array antenna and XDR modem subsystems, and helps ensure acquisition strategies align with mission capability requirements. The engineer will work with a payload engineering team and regularly interface with Space Force leadership, Aerospace management and personnel, support contractors, and prime contractors. The role is full-time and on-site at the company’s facility at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. Travel to contractor and vendor facilities may be required. An active Secret clearance is required; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or science from a recognized institution, or a degree in a related STEM field.
- At least 8 years of escalating professional engineering or scientific experience working across government programs.
- Track record demonstrating space systems engineering skills, including the ability to understand, explain, and present to the customer how specific issues connect to the broader program.
- Experience with satellite communication hardware and/or digital or analog waveform processing.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in multidisciplinary teams that include colleagues, government personnel, and contractors.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop technical materials and present to key stakeholders and senior leaders; a writing sample and presentation are required.
- Ability to travel to contractor and vendor facilities as required.
- Active Secret clearance; U.S. citizenship is 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 Engineering & Technology Group (ETG).
- Advanced technical degree in engineering, science, physics, or a related field.
Responsibilities
- Provide Aerospace leadership and the customer with insight into prime contractor execution status, risks, issues, and opportunities for the RF payload.
- Maintain effective working relationships with customer leadership, contractors, ETG, and other supporting contractors.
- Manage allocated resources to 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.
- Advise the Space Force customer on RF payload architecture and performance.
- Serve as an integration leader and/or coordinator of technical teams and act as spokesperson for working groups to management and customers.
- Monitor and assess contractor performance and delivery of products and services 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.
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; 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 built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
