Sr. Ground System Fire Control Project Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•Huntsville, AL

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 architecture, 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 Software Architecture Engineering and Systems Software Engineering team support the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) missions covering the Ground Weapons system (GWS), Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Next Generation Interceptor (NGI), and connected sensors. These programs include major system acquisitions, development, integration, and sustainment of their current and future architecture definition at the data/software/hardware levels, and research and technology for continuous evolution of Ground-Based Missile Defense warfighting capabilities. The MDA GWS program office seeks to update its Ground Weapon system to support the Next Generation Interceptor. Doing so will employ a Fire Control capability that is integrated with the overall multi-layered missile defense program. Aerospace’s Missile Defense Software Program Office is seeking a Sr. Ground System Fire Control Engineer (Senior Project Engineer - Software Architecture and Systems Software Engineering) to directly support the MDA GWS and NGI programs to advise the integration of the ground element with the Next Generation Interceptor capability. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Huntsville, AL or El Segundo, CA.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field or closely related technical field is required
12 or more years of relevant professional or educational experience is required
Experience providing technical expertise to the government in a variety of settings
Background in ground architecture and software development
Strong proficiency with command-and-control systems
Experience coordinating and leading multidiscipline technical teams formed to solve complex technical aerospace issues
Willingness to occasionally travel and support customer needs (domestically) approximately 25% (as required)
This position requires a current and active SECRET security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain security clearance

Nice To Haves

Strong background in developing and managing interface control documents (ICDs) and/or Algorithm Design Document (ADD) with a focus on enabling interoperability within complex systems
Experience ground system test event analysis and processing
Proficiency in designing and operating cloud environments and antenna systems with the capability to integrate with fire control systems, manage command and control functions, and ensure seamless data handoff and updates within a secure infrastructure
Proven ability to execute tasks in a matrixed environment and establish effective working relationships with customers, addressing their needs, building relationships, and communicating effectively
Technical expertise in developing, testing, and sustaining flight software or ground systems for launch vehicles, spacecraft, or missiles
Tool development experience with coding Python, C, C++ coding languages focused on command and message analysis

Responsibilities

Assist the government with interfacing the ground weapon system with external missile defense architectural elements
Supporting test coordination between multiple contractors and government program offices in a fast-paced AGILE environment
Develop testing software tools for processing and analyzing contractor tests
Assess contractor fire control algorithms for ground and flight tests
Analyze fire control requirements, plans, schedules, and architecture

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