Space Vehicle Concept Design Engineer/Senior Space Vehicle Concept Design Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

2d•$117,300 - $226,900•Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation’s Enterprise Effects Division (EED) integrates strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise, spanning concept and architecture design, performance assessment, and application of space and space-enabled capabilities. The Vehicle and Ground Concepts Department (VGCD) provides preliminary and conceptual designs for space vehicles and ground systems, as well as trade and architecture analysis, modeling, process development, leadership expertise, and tool development. In this role, you will design spacecraft and ground-segment solutions for customers including the U.S. Space Force, Intelligence Community, NASA, NOAA, and commercial and international organizations. The position follows an in-person work model, requiring at least four onsite days per week at the Aerospace campus in El Segundo, California, or Chantilly, Virginia. The role covers engineering-specialist and senior-engineering-specialist levels. The senior level includes additional expectations for substantive domain experience and leadership of cross-functional and cross-organizational studies and assessments. An active U.S. government Top Secret/SCI clearance is required; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a clearance. Domestic and international travel of approximately 5–10% is required. The annual grade-based pay range is $117,300–$226,900. Individual pay depends on factors including education, experience, knowledge, and skills.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, science, or a related technical field.
For Engineering Specialist: typically at least 6 years of engineering experience in the space, intelligence, and/or defense domains.
For Senior Engineering Specialist: typically at least 12 years of substantive experience in the space, intelligence, and/or defense domains.
Proficiency in system architecting, systems engineering, concept design, and/or model-based systems engineering.
Demonstrated experience in spacecraft system development, spacecraft subsystem design, ground or mission control, or mission processing for space systems.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including presenting methods and results in briefings, formal reports, and informal communications.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively in teams with members from organizations across Aerospace.
Exceptional time-management skills and ability to balance concurrent projects and schedule commitments.
Willingness and availability to travel domestically and internationally approximately 5–10%.
Active U.S. government Top Secret/SCI security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
For Senior Engineering Specialist: demonstrated success organizing and leading cross-functional, cross-organizational teams to execute studies and assessments and generate quality products.
For Senior Engineering Specialist: experience developing and presenting strategic decision-making and strategic communications artifacts for senior-level management and technical design artifacts for engineering-level reviews.
For Senior Engineering Specialist: demonstrated ability to collaborate with external partners from customer organizations, acquisition program offices, and contractors.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in engineering, mathematics, science, or a related technical discipline.
Demonstrated experience with concurrent engineering tools, processes, and methodologies.
Experience working closely with key Aerospace customer agencies from the Department of War and the Intelligence Community, including strong domain knowledge and professional networks.
Demonstrated experience with artificial intelligence applications and emerging commercial capability offerings for space systems.
Hands-on experience with system or enterprise modeling in SysML, UAF, or UPDM.
Proficiency in one or more simulation tools or programming languages, including MATLAB, Python, Simulink, STK, C++, or SolidWorks.

Responsibilities

Lead and participate in early life-cycle spacecraft concept design studies, from individual projects to large multidisciplinary efforts.
Lead the ongoing development, maintenance, and improvement of tools and models used for spacecraft concept design and analysis.
Support development of VGCD capabilities for assessing ground-segment concept designs.
Coordinate with technical experts across Aerospace to bring together multidisciplinary expertise and enable concurrent engineering approaches.
Define system capabilities, system-of-systems interfaces, and requirements for space, ground, and intersegment architectures based on user needs and perspectives.
Communicate task status, methods, results, and recommendations through briefings and formal technical reports.
Mentor early-career department members while developing concepting tools and performing spacecraft concept design and analysis.
At the senior level, organize and lead cross-functional, cross-organizational teams executing studies and assessments and producing quality deliverables.
At the senior level, develop and present strategic decision-making and strategic communications materials for senior management, as well as technical design materials for engineering reviews.
At the senior level, collaborate with external partners, including customer organizations, acquisition program offices, and contractors.

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 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.