Space Combat Power Propulsion Principal Engineer
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 Space Combat Power Propulsion Principal Engineer will support the Program Acquisition Executive for Space Combat Power (SCP) portfolio of programs in all areas of related advanced development, design, planning, execution, strategy development, assembly, integration, test, and supply chain analysis of propulsion systems. The SCP Propulsion Principal Engineer will engage daily with senior Space Force, Intelligence Community, and DoW leadership. This role requires being integrated with Systems Delta 89 organizations and interacting regularly with SSC leadership, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration (SAF/SQ), and the Office of the Secretary of War (OSW). Senior Aerospace FFRDC leadership, and National Lab working groups. The Special Programs Division of the Defense Space Acquisition Directorate works across the enterprise to provide our customers timely, accurate, and actionable information to enable informed decision-making on impacting the Space Force’s architecture over the next decade. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA.
Requirements
- M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Propulsion or Aerospace Engineering, or other related technical areas of study.
- 15 or more years of applicable of experience in propulsion systems development, test, integration, operations, mission assurance, and systems analysis
- Recognized propulsion expert across Government, Academia and industrial base with technical reputation and a track record of technical achievement
- Experience with DoW acquisition processes, evaluating supply chain and raw material constraints for propulsion systems
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills. Experience briefing technical material to management and customers at the highest levels
- Demonstrated ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced program office environment; an ability to adapt quickly to change and take initiative under pressure
- Demonstrated ability to effectively build teams and establish strong working relationships with management, peers, subordinates, customers, and contractors
- Active and current Top Secret +4 pack security clearance, issued by the US government. US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
Nice To Haves
- PhD degree in engineering, science, or equivalent
- Government Program office experience, with experience working in the Space Combat Power portfolio
- Demonstrated understanding of how to effectively leverage Aerospace’s Engineering Technology Group technical support
- Ability to support travel, as needed
Responsibilities
- Act as the primary propulsion technologies engineer for Space Combat Power Portfolio and be integrated directly with Systems Delta 89 programs and their program teams
- Work closely and collaboratively across Space Systems Command, STARCOM, Space Command, National Laboratories, and Intelligence Community to understand and mitigate propulsion related challenges
- Help shape the future of System Delta 89 procurements by providing a deep understanding on current and future state of the space industrial base propulsion landscape, advise customers on acquisition strategy, supply chain issues and generating forward-facing solutions
- Communicate across the space enterprise, engage in propulsion related technical forums, committees and present cutting-edge research and analysis
- Assemble and lead high-performance teams to analyze, define, and satisfy customer needs. Monitor and manage overall team and individual technical efforts
- Support various senior level independent assessments or failure investigations, leveraging Aerospace corporate capability to provide timely and accurate contributions
- Lead extensive set of technical tasks, including mission assurance, maturity and schedule risk assessments, technical capability assessments, market research, acquisition strategy developments, RFP developments, industry engagements, and source selection advisory
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
Principal
