Sr. Space Domain Awareness Force Design Project Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•Colorado Springs, CO

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. This position will provide leadership and technical expertise to the Space Security and Defense Program (SSDP) for Space Domain Awareness (SDA) force design and analysis - related tasks. SSDP is a fast-paced organization that works complex space enterprise problems in a multi-level classification environment. The ideal candidate will be responsible for leading, guiding and advancing Aerospace SSDP SDA technical analysis for the Colorado Springs-based team. Duties include leading an analysis driven work plan supported by sound engineering judgement, data, testing and strategic foresight to enable government decisions on strategic and operational responses to emerging threats; defining technical tasks and leading matrixed teams of technical and intelligence experts from our Engineering and Technology Group (ETG), Project West Wing (PWW) and other engineers / analysts; and ensuring timely and quality reporting to Aerospace and customers. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Colorado Springs, CO.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in an appropriate technical/STEM-related discipline from a recognized institution
12 years of experience in government SSA/SDA acquisition and/or operations, with a preference for experience which spans SSA/SDA and Space Control mission areas
A proven history of applying engineering skills and best practices to the resolution of complex problems
Demonstrated ability to interface between organizations across the broader DoD and National Security Space Enterprise
Demonstrated ability to organize and lead the activities of technical staff and contribute to the efforts of multi-disciplinary teams
Ability to develop and defend technical positions based on complex analysis sets
Ability to work in a highly dynamic environment with quickly changing priorities and activities
Direct experience with SDA sensors and systems
Familiarity with space security concepts/mission and US capabilities and vulnerabilities to new and emerging threats.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Must show initiative and leadership and require minimal management oversight
Active Top Secret SCI clearance and eligible for SAP/SAR clearances, which are issued by the US government.
US Citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
Applicant must be willing to take a US government administered polygraph test.

Nice To Haves

M.S. or Ph.D. in engineering, mathematics, or science
12 years of experience in government SSA/SDA acquisition and/or operations, with a preference for experience which spans SSA/SDA and Space Control mission areas
Experience in SDA concepts, strategies, and architectures
Experience with optical or radar remote sensing systems
Familiarity with Aerospace’s Engineering and Technology Group modeling, simulation, and analysis capabilities

Responsibilities

Translate abstract customer needs into specific analysis questions and plans for execution
Lead technical assessments and strategic planning for SSDP in the SDA mission area
Organize and lead multi-disciplinary teams in the strategic development of new capabilities and workflows
Provide architecture level acquisition support, studies, and analysis
Participate in engagement activities with a variety of mission partners across government as well as diverse industry partners
Develop, communicate, and defend Aerospace technical positions on a wide variety of program assessments and key technical and operational questions to both customer and Aerospace senior management
Participate in significant interaction with staff from Aerospace’s ETG to ensure appropriate tasking, progress and results
Operate as a direct interface to the government program leadership and interface with all levels of Aerospace, customer, and contractor personnel
Be self-motivated to search for and recognize technical and programmatic issues and develop related solutions
Mentor and support the growth of junior members of the team as well as key Aerospace ETG staff

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