Sr. Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Project Leader

The Aerospace Corporation•Arden Arcade, CA

5d•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, development planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape the future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including US Space Force, U.S Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers but also horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. DSG 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. The Enterprise Mission Systems team is looking for a Senior Project Leader to lead acquisition and sustainment activities for the Space Domain Awareness (SDA) enterprise including both Ground-Based Sensors and Mission Processing systems. The engineer and supporting team focus on the sustainment and modernization of sensors and software programs within the Second Sustainment Squadron of Mission Delta 2. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility at Garden of the Gods, CO.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field or equivalent
15 or more years of experience in a relevant technical field with some experience related to optical or RF sensors and/or software processing systems
Proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks effectively
Working understanding of the Space Domain Awareness architecture and key requirements
Experience dealing with organizational ambiguity
Ability to work both independently and in a collaborative environment
Superior verbal and written communication skills
Experience working through complex engineering challenges which have both technical and political contributions
Substantive experience with the DoD acquisition lifecycle
Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site approx. 10-20%.
Current and active TS/SCI government clearance, which is issued by the US government.
US 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 optical or RF SDA sensors
Hands-on experience with cloud software deployments
Ability to obtain necessary SAP level clearances

Responsibilities

Providing Space Domain Awareness (SDA) system architecture expertise to customers and engineering teams who are working to prioritize requirements, update systems, and bring new systems online
Collaborating with outside organizations to provide technical support
Performing hands on technical work in the fields of SDA sensors and SDA mission processing systems
Influencing key government and contractor stakeholders to move forward with proposed capabilities
Working with other Aerospace, government, and contractor engineering teams who reside in different physical locations, specifically Colorado Springs, CO and El Segundo, CA
Ensuring the performance and capabilities of systems within the portfolio are adequate to meet the Mission Delta’s needs
Proposing the development of new capabilities to fill critical gaps
Working directly with contractors to ensure the prioritization of their work is consistent with the most pressing customer needs
Driving to decisions based on unbiased technical merit
Managing and reconciling conflicting requirements
Balancing system engineering with agile development practices
Developing strategies to meet mission need in a context of cost/schedule constraints

Benefits

Competitive compensation package
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