Sr. Project Engineer - Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office

The Aerospace Corporation•Colorado Springs, CO

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Sr. Project Engineer with expertise in Communications Systems and Payload Systems Engineering – RF to support the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (AFRCO). This role involves providing technical expertise and engineering support in the development and fielding of critical capabilities. The position is full-time and requires on-site work in Colorado Springs, CO. The Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy, strategy, development planning, system of system engineering, and threat reduction. DSG supports major customers including U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Material Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, and also assists the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch, and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems. This position will be within the Agile Acquisitions Division.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science or other applicable degree.
12 or more years of relevant engineering/technical/operational/system fielding experience.
Possesses unique combination of hardware, embedded software, electronics, electro-mechanical and electro-optical design engineering expertise.
Experience designing, developing systems, subsystems and electronic signals for communication networks, data links, digital radio, battle management, command and control systems and related technologies.
Experience conducting payload analysis, modeling and simulation, and communications and signals analysis to inform system and architecture design and technical trades.
Experience with development and integration of DoD and/or IC space system payloads, capabilities, missions, and/or programs in standard and rapid acquisition environments.
Experience designing, developing and evaluating technical mission software and firmware supporting various space systems and payloads.
Ability to work and thrive in a fast-paced & dynamic environment and to work complex problems without clear point solutions.
Stellar verbal and written communication skills including the ability to engage and effectively communicate.
Willingness to travel domestically up to 10-20% of the time.
This position requires a current TS/SCI security clearance and SAP/SAR accesses, issued by the US government.
US citizenship is required to obtain.
This position requires working full time in a secure facility.

Nice To Haves

Masters or PhD from an accredited program in engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science or other applicable degree.
Experience/expertise designing and developing phased array and RF system electronics for space and ground mission applications.
Experience/expertise conducting detailed technical analysis designing and developing mission payloads and architectures for a wide variety of orbital regimes and mission applications.
Experience conducting high fidelity antenna simulations and associated performance analysis.
Experience working on Rapid Acquisition programs with USAF, USSF, NRO, or others.

Responsibilities

Applying multi-discipline technical, payload, communications, and systems engineering expertise to solve the nation’s greatest challenges and to assure mission success and timely fielding of cutting-edge space system capabilities.
Designing, modeling, simulating, testing, analyzing and evaluating communications systems, subsystems and electronic signals and related technologies in the development of communication networks, data links, signals transmission and processing, command and control and mission management systems.
Applying knowledge of communications systems, modulation schema, signal coding, digital and wireless radio/communications technology, network architecture design and related concepts, methods, techniques and tools to develop, refine and integrate complex communications systems and architectures.
Conducting research, design, development and testing of electrical or mechanical hardware, software and firmware components and computing systems software to be applied to and integrated with space systems and payloads.
Supporting and evaluating the design, test, modification, fabrication and assembly of prototype electromechanical and other technical systems and recommending various technology options or approaches for system, processes, facility or program improvements in terms of safety, performance, efficiency or costs.
Analyzing and evaluating engineering and technical data, to identify shortfalls, develop design alternatives and provide risk assessments for Comm, RF and other technical systems.
Collaborating and interfacing with a wide array of organizations and personnel to review and coordinate design specifications and engineering products to address design and integration issues and formulate alternatives across a wide range of cross-discipline engineering areas.
Supporting the development, testing and operational fielding of complex space capabilities including detailed engineering of parts, payloads, complete end-to-end systems, architectures and overall mission designs using a variety of analytic tools and systems to assess alternatives and maximize performance.
Advising the Government on the trades associated with up-front alternative analyses and recommend capability and risk-based courses of action considering operational, technical, and acquisition factors.

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