Sr. Communication Systems Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation • El Segundo, CA

2d • 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. As a Sr. Communication Systems Engineer (Sr. Project Engineer - Systems Engineering-Acquisition and Systems Engineering) supporting SSC’s Strategic Missile Warning (MW) Ground Infrastructure (SSC/SYD 84/MGI), you will provide technical leadership across a diverse set of ground network development activities supporting the Next Gen OPIR, Resilient Ground, and USNDS programs. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Science or a related technical field
• Twelve or more years of responsible professional engineering experience, including multi-disciplinary systems engineering and/or program management environments
• Experience with development, test, and fielding of space-ground communications systems
• Prior engineering leadership or project management experience
• Proven ability to establish and maintain excellent working relationships with military, technical, and contractor teams
• Active secret clearance with an ability to obtain TS/SCI, which is issued by the US government.
• US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in a STEM field
• Strong, hands-on knowledge of ground system architectures, especially antenna networks and advanced communications network technologies
• Technical understanding of the current threat environment
• Knowledge or experience with OPIR missions
• Understanding of and experience working with a matrixed engineering organization.
• Strong customer focused demeanor with outstanding skills in coordinating exchanges between technical staff and the customer.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance

Responsibilities

• Provide space-ground systems integration expertise for the Next Generation OPIR Program’s ground system, specifically the Relay Ground Station (RGS) antennas and related ground networks
• Support Next Gen OPIR space-ground interface development, test, requirement verification and enterprise sell-off
• Identify critical system integration decision points and milestones/events to ensure the successful transitioning of Next Gen OPIR system capabilities from development to operations
• Provide thought leadership to the development of a robust tech mat strategy for the next generation MW survivable / endurable (S/E) antenna design
• Lead technical studies to assess antenna performance and inform the near-future design trade space
• Participate in program status assessments and conduct independent risk assessments that inform government and Aerospace management of technical issues and recommended courses of action
• Provide insight into contractor system development and integration planning and execution, including system functional and performance testing for the ground, space, and combined ground-space capabilities
• Represent Aerospace in program meetings and technical forums such as design reviews, technical interchanges, and program management reviews
• Lead non-conformance, anomaly, and major technical issue response teams to support space-ground and Enterprise-related review boards
• Collaborate with government, SE&I, SETA, and contractor counterparts to coordinate program technical activities

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior