Sr. Next Gen OPIR Polar Space Vehicle Project 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. The Next Gen OPIR Polar program in the Space Based Sensing Division is actively participating in the building and fielding of next generation OPIR Space Vehicles for Polar (Molniya) orbits. The mission of the Next Gen Polar (NGP) constellation is to deliver end-to-end, resilient, missile warning systems in for the northern hemisphere that outpace the threat. Our primary customer is the U.S. Space Force (USSF), and this position is customer-facing with a fast-paced tempo to address challenges head-on. We are looking for a driven, motivated Next Gen OPIR Polar Space Vehicle Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) team member to perform technical support in a dynamic team environment. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo CA and support the AI&T campaign at the Prime Contractor facility in Redondo Beach CA.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or other discipline
12 or more years of proven experience with OPIR spacecraft (Bus) systems engineering, spacecraft sub-systems, or Space Vehicle Test Bed background in a space environment
Demonstrated relevant experiences with Integration integration and test challenges, including risk management, demonstrated subsystem delivery, and participate participation with in space vehicle on-orbit deployment
Hands-on experience with analysis and assessment of the following: Structures and Mechanisms, Propulsion Subsystems, Other Major Space Vehicle Subsystems (GN&C or ACS, TCS, TT&C, Power, integration of Mission Payload and hosted payloads), Single Line Flow tuning and calibration
Familiarity with Enterprise challenges and risk management
Willing to travel approx. 10%
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government.
U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or higher in physics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or other discipline
Proven experience in OPIR systems engineering, operations/spacecraft systems, background in a space environment
Proven history supporting the USSF customer
Ability to collaborate across government and contractor teams
Record of advising US Government customer at critical decision milestones (technical and/or schedule), including performing risk assessments.
Participation in and leading of critical subsystem teams
Current Secret level clearance, addition of SCI preferred

Responsibilities

Provide government and prime contractor technical assistance and assessments on the flight builds of the integrated Space Vehicle flight hardware.
Support the NG OPIR Enterprise and ensure early on-orbit testing meets operational acceptance timelines.
Execute independent assessments of prime contractor activities and provide guidance to USSF customer personnel on space vehicle integration.
Actively engage in strategic planning, collaborating with USSF, government contractors, and Aerospace SMEs to address challenges and deliver integrated operational capabilities.

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