Sr. Launch Vehicle Engineer - Sr. Project Leader

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. Would you like to be part of a dynamic team of project engineers supporting the execution of National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions? In this position you will help lead a team of talented individuals to provide operational support to NSSL launches and evaluate the certification of launch systems in support of United States Space Force (USSF) programs. This Launch Vehicle Systems Engineer role will provide direct support to the Falcon Chief Engineer in the Launch Systems Operations & Development (LSOD) sub-division responsible for the technical evaluation and flight certification of the SpaceX Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch systems. The position will provide technical leadership and apply launch vehicle systems engineering expertise to assist the Falcon Chief Engineering in ensuring the effective execution of the Aerospace launch verification processes through a range of activities to include Chief Engineer’s Review Boards (ChERB), non-recurring design validation (NRDV) assessments, and launch vehicle flight readiness verification through completion of tasks in the Launch Verification Matrix (LVM). This role also requires management of the continuous configuration evaluation of the Falcon Launch System. LSOD is a sub-division of the Aerospace Launch Systems Directorate, which is responsible for the successful execution of NSSL missions for the USSF and the National Reconnaissance Organization. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility at Los Angeles Air Force Base.

Requirements

B.S. in Engineering or Physical Science from a recognized institution
12 or more years of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific experience
Proven experience with manufacturing and production issues related to launch system hardware
Proven experience leading diverse and multidisciplinary teams to solve technical issues, especially as related to anomaly and failure investigations
An active Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance issued by the US government. US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in engineering or related field
Proficiency using Jira and Confluence or similar project tracking software
Familiarity with NSSL Standard Interface Specification (SIS) and Systems Performance Requirement Document (SPRD) requirements
A broad set of skills to work diverse problems is highly desired
Knowledge and experience in the execution of Aerospace mission assurance processes
Understanding of launch systems with an emphasis on the Falcon launch system
Experience with systems engineering and verification of requirements
Effective interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of customer and corporate staff

Responsibilities

Directly support the Falcon Chief Engineer by providing technical leadership and systems engineering expertise to ensure timely mission assurance task execution (e.g. ChERBs, NRDV assessments, and LVM tasks) to support the customer’s launch timelines
Act in a Deputy role to the Falcon CE as needed to mitigate schedule conflicts
Provide on-console support for launch rehearsals (ICE) and launch campaigns
Represent the CE in technical meetings with contractors and customers
Coordinating tasks and priorities with the CE and management as required
Develop and coordinate ChERBs between the seams of component owners or system analysts
Coordinate critical milestone reviews to certify vehicles for flight (e.g., Aerospace Readiness Reviews, Aerospace President’s Review, Flight Readiness Reviews and launch site readiness)
Offer technical and programmatic consultation and recommendations to the Falcon Chief Engineer, management and customers regarding issues and findings impacting launch
Develop and maintain processes to track and verify launch vehicle configuration Changes, Issues, and Risks
Ensure the Falcon Launch System interface, vehicle requirements and documentation are compliant with NSSL program top-level requirements
Responsible for systems engineering tasks such as JIRA development and maintenance (e.g. managing tiger teams, Falcon Change tickets and Risk tickets)
Prepare briefings and report certification and mission specific assessments for internal and external reviews as required

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