Sr. Communication 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, 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. Join the Special Programs Division (SPD) Spectrum Systems Subdivision in Aerospace’s Defense Systems Group (DSG). Deliver national impacts as a go-to Sr. Communication Systems Engineer working in the US Space Force’s esteemed Space Combat Power Program Executive Office. You’ll have upstream influence in shaping and defining high-stakes defense contracts critical to national security. Working within a space-focused acquisition program office, you will translate warfighter needs into reality, ensuring the next generation of communication, electromagnetic warfare, and cyber operation systems are mission ready to prevail in a contested space environment. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA. Aerospace’s El Segundo facilities are located next to the Los Angeles Air Force Base, which is the home of the USSF Space Systems Command.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a technical/STEM-related field such as electrical engineering, computer science, physics, or mathematics.
12 or more years of experience in the national security space and communication systems
Ability to travel up to 15% of the time.
This position requires an active TS/SCI security clearance and the ability to be granted and maintain accesses to Special Access Programs.
Clearances and accesses are issued by the US government.
US citizenship is a minimum requirement to obtain a security clearance and receive additional accesses.

Nice To Haves

Current or previous accesses to Special Access Programs.
An advanced degree in a relevant technical area.
In-depth knowledge of DoD acquisitions, satellite communication systems, electromagnetic warfare, cyber operations, battle management and command & control cloud software architectures, Space Systems Command specs and standards, or a combination thereof.

Responsibilities

Own the Technical Baseline: Use your communications expertise on RF chains, link budgets, modulation schemas, antennas, signal processing, and network architectures to ensure the Space Force remains a smart buyer of cutting-edge commercial and defense contractor capabilities.
National Space Enterprise Collaboration: Effectively partner with the acquisition, operational, test, intelligence, and concept design communities to ensure new systems integrate seamlessly with existing space and ground segments.
Mission Analysis & Requirements: Drive operational mission analyses and assessments of alternatives to translate warfighter needs into clear system requirements, statements of work, interface requirements, and performance metrics.
Contractor Oversight & Verification: Lead technical evaluations of vendor proposals and monitor execution to ensure contractor architecture and design meet rigorous performance standards.
Risk & Opportunity Management: Proactively identify and develop handling plans for technical, cost, and schedule risks to ensure mission success.
Test & Evaluation Leadership: Plan and oversee critical test events and review evaluation artifacts to verify that complex system requirements are fully met.
Leverage World-Class Labs: Take the initiative to integrate specialists from Aerospace’s Engineering & Technology Group (ETG), using elite laboratory capabilities to solve the nation's most difficult technical challenges.
Technical Authority & Mentorship: Communicate system capabilities and constraints through expert-level reports and briefings, while sharing your knowledge to develop the next generation of engineers.

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