Space Systems Engineer/Sr. Space Systems Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, 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, developmental planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape future space missions across the national security space enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including Air Force Space Command, U.S. Strategic Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers but also horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. The Project West Wing provides technical intelligence analysis and research for a broad range of national security space and intelligence community customers. The Enterprise Threats (ET) team delivers unique, timely, and independent technical assessments of current and future threats to space-based capabilities. We are seeking Space Systems Engineers (Project Leader / Senior Project Engineer) with multidisciplinary experience spanning space systems engineering. Any experience in cybersecurity, orbital dynamics, automation/AI, and kill chain analysis would also be valuable. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in science, engineering, or mathematics
8 or more years of experience in aerospace engineering or related field (for Project Leader)
12 or more years relevant technical experience (for Senior Project Engineer)
Demonstrated interest in and understanding of relevant satellite threat technologies and their applications; e.g., electronic warfare, directed energy, high power microwaves, kinetic effects
Experience in satellite systems analysis executing range of engineering and modeling tools
Must be comfortable in a rapidly changing environment and have a strong demonstrated personal initiative
Superior written and oral communications skills and ability to work with other analysts and customers as a team player
Flexibility to learn new tools/capabilities as needed
Willing to travel 10% approx.
Active TS clearance with the ability to get SCI access
U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
Proven experience space systems engineering, satellites, and operations/spacecraft systems or data analytics background in a space environment (for Senior Project Engineer)
Able to guide and mentor other analysts and develop more effective data processing techniques (for Senior Project Engineer)
Collaborate with government customers and identify new projects of interest (for Senior Project Engineer)
Effectively prioritize efforts based on a combination of factors (e.g. impact, relevance, findings, etc.) (for Senior Project Engineer)
Confidently communicate insights and findings and their significance to senior leadership (for Senior Project Engineer)

Nice To Haves

Any experience in cybersecurity, orbital dynamics, automation/AI, and kill chain analysis would also be valuable.
Advanced degree from an accredited program in science, engineering, or mathematics
Experience in aerospace engineering, with a strong background in the analytic space intelligence community
Demonstrated project management skills across multiple engineering disciplines
Cybersecurity: Understanding of network security analysis, cyber threat assessment, cryptographic systems analysis, or secure communication vulnerabilities
Automation/AI: Familiarity with autonomous systems, machine learning vulnerabilities, or AI-enabled system architectures

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive threat assessments of space systems, including jamming, spoofing, cyber, directed energy, electronic warfare, and kinetic threats
Perform kill chain analysis to identify system vulnerabilities and inform mitigation strategies
Act as technical contributor, consultant, and primary project coordinator on space system engineering analysis projects
Leveraging engineering analytic tools informed by technical intelligence to assess space system performance parameters
Facilitating interaction between customers and Aerospace technical and management staff
Coordinating large-scale technical efforts across program/project lines
Providing strategic leadership to resiliency efforts within the US space enterprise

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