Sr Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Project Engineer
About The Position
The Aerospace Corporation’s Defense Systems Group provides analysis-based decision support and technical expertise across the national security space enterprise. The Battle Management, Command & Control Division seeks a Senior Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Project Engineer to support acquisition and sustainment activities across the SDA enterprise, including ground-based SDA sensors and mission-processing systems. The role focuses on sustaining and modernizing sensors and software programs within the Second Sustainment Squadron of Mission Delta 2. The engineer provides SDA system architecture expertise, performs hands-on technical work with sensors and mission-processing/platform systems, and works with Aerospace, government, and contractor teams to prioritize requirements, update systems, and bring new capabilities online. The position is full-time and on-site at the company’s facility in El Segundo, California, or Colorado Springs, Colorado. Occasional travel to the work location or customer site is expected, approximately 10–20%.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field or equivalent.
- 12 or more years of experience in a relevant technical field, including some experience related to SDA optical or RF sensors and/or software processing systems.
- Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks effectively.
- Working understanding of SDA architecture and key requirements and interfaces.
- Experience dealing with organizational ambiguity.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Superior verbal and written communication skills.
- Experience addressing complex engineering challenges with both technical and political dimensions.
- Substantive experience with DoD acquisition lifecycle and processes.
- Willingness to travel occasionally to a work location or customer site, approximately 10–20%.
- Ability to obtain a TS/SCI government clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree in a STEM field.
- Experience operating effectively in complex working environments.
- Experience working directly with contractors to implement and test complex designs.
- Experience with agile development programs and test strategies that support that construct.
- Familiarity with military space systems and operational concepts.
- Experience defining and implementing a strategic technical vision.
- Hands-on experience with SDA sensors or associated C2 and data platforms.
- Hands-on experience with cloud software deployments.
- Current or active TS/SCI security clearance.
- Ability to obtain necessary SAP-level clearances.
Responsibilities
- Provide SDA system architecture expertise to customers and engineering teams as they prioritize requirements, update systems, and bring new systems online.
- Collaborate with outside organizations to provide technical support.
- Perform hands-on technical work involving SDA sensors and SDA mission-processing/platform systems.
- Influence government and contractor stakeholders to advance proposed capabilities.
- Work with Aerospace, government, and contractor engineering teams located in Colorado Springs and El Segundo.
- Ensure systems in the portfolio have adequate performance and capabilities to meet Mission Delta needs.
- Propose development of capabilities to address critical gaps.
- Work directly with contractors to ensure their work is prioritized according to pressing customer needs.
- Drive decisions based on unbiased technical merit.
- Manage and reconcile conflicting requirements.
- Balance systems engineering with agile development practices.
- Develop strategies to meet mission needs within cost and schedule constraints.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
- Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
- Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options.
- 401(k) plan with company-paid contributions of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service, plus matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested upon hire.
- Flexible spending accounts.
- Variable pay program for exceptional contributions.
- Relocation assistance.
- Professional growth and development programs.
- Education assistance programs.
- Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
