Sr. Ground System Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•Albuquerque, NM

4d•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. The Ground Systems Engineer (Senior Project Engineer - Systems Engineering) in the Space Rapid Capabilities Directorate within the Agile Acquisition Division will support the development and integration of a critical ground system for the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SpRCO). The SpRCO is rapidly developing and fielding highly classified critical space capabilities for the space enterprise. The Ground Systems Engineer will actively participate in all phases of the ground development to ensure operationally dominant space capabilities are delivered at the speed of warfighting relevance. This includes technical support for vehicle to ground system integration, development of command and control services, providing engineering support and contractor oversight of the acquisition, development of evolving system architectures to support operations testing, readiness, and on-orbit operations. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM.

Requirements

BS degree in engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, or related STEM field is required
Space experience is required (satellite ground development and operations)
12 or more years of progressively responsible experience in systems engineering or program management
Demonstrated ability to work within teams
Demonstrated ability to work in a highly dynamic Program Office environment with a mix of government, FFRDC, and SETA personnel
Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills; experience presenting and writing technical information
Travel is required
This position requires a current TS/SCI security clearance with SAP eligibility, which is issued by the US Government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in technical discipline (engineering, science or math)
Extensive satellite operations experience to include satellite ground system development and / or testing
Extensive satellite design / integration
Systems Engineering experience
Systems Engineering experience with rapid operational systems
An excellent personal technical reputation and a record of personal technical achievement
Program office and management experience
Working knowledge of expertise from across the Aerospace corporation, especially subject matter experts and laboratory operations with the ability to support customer needs

Responsibilities

Coordinate with Government, SETA, and contractor teams to field a critical ground system
Support program reviews, design, development, test, and transition to operations efforts
Understand and ensure implementation of requirements for ground system design, mission concept of operations, prototype and test, initial flight checkout, flight operations, and operational transition support
Provide mission assurance and assist with ground architecture development and integration efforts in a commercial cloud environment
Identify risk areas and mitigation efforts to meet mission objectives
Work closely with Program Manager (O-5)
Solicit and oversee members of the Aerospace Engineering Technical Group (ETG) to employ their expertise on critical problems the local program office may find difficult to solve
Routinely present status updates to Senior Material Leaders (O-6) and Space SpRCO Director (SES-2)
Interface with multiple government agencies to provide capability to the warfighter

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