Software Architecture and Systems Software Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•Vandenberg AFB, CA

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. STARS, the Spacelift Telemetry Acquisition and Reporting System, is a networked, distributed processing system used to acquire, process, analyze, display, and archive launch vehicle telemetry and other data for vehicle checkout and launch activities. We are looking for a Software Architecture and Systems Software Engineer (Project Engineer/Sr. Project Engineer) Responsible to the Western Range Directorate (WRD) Spacecraft and Systems Engineering & Integration Director for telemetry processing support at WRD for Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) Falcon and United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan launch vehicle telemetry processing, data storage and retransmission of telemetry data acquired during launch vehicle testing and in support of launches. Participate in the resolution of anomalies relating to the operation and maintenance of the Western Range (WR) Spaceflight Telemetry Acquisition and Reporting System (STARS) facility. This position requires continual interaction with Aerospace program office, Enterprise Information Services (EIS) and Engineering Test Group (ETG) personnel; United States Space Force (USSF) program office and operations personnel; and launch vehicle and WR contractor personnel. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA.

Requirements

Bachelors of Science degree in an applicable STEM areas or other discipline
8 or more years of experience in in software development with within a test instrumentation or aerospace environment
Experience with voice, video and telemetry transport systems (optical and electrical)
Experience with automating engineering workflows
Strong experience in Windows and Linux systems administration
Software development using in Java, Python, PERL, C/C++
Willing to work outside of normal working hours and weekends
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with contractors and customers
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government.
U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
12 or more years of experience in software development with within a test instrumentation or aerospace environment
Experience leading a large technical effort

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in a relevant STEM-related field
Knowledge of launch vehicle telemetry data systems, formats and standards
Familiarity with data, voice, video and timing communication circuits and interfaces
Familiarity with launch vehicle operations and a working knowledge of Range Operations
Experience working collaboratively with internal and external organizations
DevOps experience
Knowledge of pipeline frameworks like Jenkins or Selenium
Experience with deployment tools like Docker and Kubernetes

Responsibilities

Provide Aerospace Project Engineering support performing operations, maintenance and sustainment activities for WR STARS.
Execute the WR STARS operations support plan based on the launch vehicle test support requirements and launch vehicle processing schedules.
Ensure all the power-on tests for the Vulcan and Falcon launch vehicles are supported.
Configure the systems to receive, record and relay voice, video and data associated with Vulcan and Falcon launch vehicle processing.
Configure and utilize workstations for launch vehicle data displays.
Troubleshoot data, voice, video and timing circuits, networking equipment, data recording systems, video display systems, data communications system, data recording systems and associated data processing hardware as required to maintain nominal data processing and recording capabilities.
Validate datalinks as required to ensure nominal performance parameters are met for all operations.
Participate in assessing the requirements for, solutions to and implementation of the modifications required to support new requirements for existing launch vehicles and to support requirements for new launch vehicles.
Participate in the STARS Engineering Review Board (ERB), which reviews, prioritizes, plans for, and recommends all changes to the STARS systems.
Ensure the WR STARS facility support systems consisting of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, computer room air conditioning (CRAC) system, the emergency generator and the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system receive the correct preventative and corrective maintenance and are fully mission capable (FMC).
Create and optimize desktop applications for launch vehicle telemetry to facilitate automated test setups and data collection
Develop and maintain strong, effective working relationships with internal and external customers and contractor counterparts

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