Space System Architect Project Lead

The Aerospace Corporation

5d•$135,300 - $202,900•Remote

About The Position

The Space System Architect Project Lead works within The Aerospace Corporation’s Enterprise Effects Division and Architecture Concepts Department, which provide architecture expertise and analysis to a broad range of national security, defense, civil, and commercial customers. The role leads medium- to high-complexity space architecture trade studies and conceptualization efforts, assembling multidisciplinary teams to frame problems, identify gaps, assess alternatives, and develop recommendations. The Project Lead selects and applies system architecting methods, processes, and tools; develops or integrates analytical methods to assess architecture concepts and system designs across cost, schedule, performance, risk, resilience, and other characteristics; and communicates study methods, status, results, and recommendations to team members, program offices, contractors, and customers. The position also manages study plans, resources, budgets, risks, and constraints, collaborates across technical disciplines, and mentors junior staff. This is a part-time position of 20 hours per week, performed fully remotely. Occasional travel to an Aerospace campus in Chantilly, Virginia; Colorado Springs, Colorado; or El Segundo, California, may be required for in-person Concurrent Design Center sessions.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, science, or a related technical field.
At least 8 years of professional engineering experience; the experience requirement may be met through combinations of a master's degree, Ph.D., and/or professional experience.
Experience in space system or enterprise architecting, systems engineering, concept design, and/or model-based systems engineering.
Experience organizing and leading cross-functional, cross-organizational teams to execute projects or studies, including experience as a Project Lead or Systems Lead on a study team.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present methods and results in briefings, formal reports, and informal communications.
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with teams, customers, Aerospace program offices, and contractors, and collaborate with Aerospace functional organizations.
Demonstrated ability to manage time and deliverables independently in a part-time, remote arrangement, including proactive communication across differing schedules.
Availability and willingness to travel to an Aerospace campus in Chantilly, VA; Colorado Springs, CO; or El Segundo, CA, as needed for in-person Concurrent Design Center sessions.

Nice To Haves

Master's and/or Ph.D. in engineering, mathematics, science, or a related technical discipline.
Demonstrated initiative to innovate, shape, drive, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of tasks, projects, or organizations.
Demonstrated success organizing and leading cross-functional, cross-organizational teams to execute studies and assessments and generate quality products.
Relevant work or graduate school experience in system or enterprise architecting, systems engineering, model-based systems engineering, or digital engineering.
Experience with spacecraft, payloads, ground systems, launch systems, missile systems, nuclear weapon systems, and/or aircraft systems.
Hands-on system or enterprise modeling experience using SysML, UAF, or UPDM.
Experience working closely with key Aerospace customer agencies in the defense and intelligence community, including strong domain knowledge and professional networks.
Prior success in a part-time or remote technical role, including proactively structuring schedules to meet project deadlines.
Experience with space system architecture conceptual design, analysis, and concurrent engineering techniques.

Responsibilities

Lead medium- to high-complexity space architecture trade studies and conceptualization efforts, including problem framing, gap analysis, and trade-space assessment.
Assemble and lead multidisciplinary engineering teams to address study objectives.
Communicate technical needs and deliverables to project team members, program offices, and customers, and facilitate access to subject matter expertise across the corporation.
Evaluate, select, and apply system architecting methods, processes, and tools in space architecture assessment, modeling, analysis, and conceptual design activities.
Use, develop, and integrate analytical methods and tools to evaluate architecture concepts and system designs for cost, schedule, performance, risk, resilience, and other characteristics.
Work with Aerospace program office, customer, and contractor personnel to elicit needs, requirements, and constraints; scope, plan, and execute studies; and communicate status, methods, results, and recommendations through briefings and formal technical reports.
Manage project plans, resources, budgets, risks, and constraints, prioritizing and sequencing work to meet study milestones and deliver timely products within a part-time schedule.
Collaborate with Aerospace personnel across technical disciplines and domains to apply concurrent engineering approaches to complex space architecture problems.
Mentor and train junior staff for effective execution of space architecture studies.

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 company-paid contributions 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.