Sr. Space Vehicle Engineering and Integration Leader

The Aerospace Corporation • Chantilly, VA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Sr. Space Vehicle Engineering and Integration Leader is part of the Defense Strategic Space Advanced Capabilities office and supports the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Advanced Capabilities (PAE-AC). The role provides technical expertise and engineering support for the development and fielding of critical capabilities. The selected candidate works full-time on-site at the company’s facility in Chantilly, Virginia, and must work full-time in a secure facility. Domestic travel of up to 20% is required.

The position leads and coordinates subject matter experts across multiple efforts involving systems engineering, integration, and test activities. It also supports program execution, technical issue resolution, risk reduction, innovation, customer engagement, and recommendations to government and corporate leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science, or another applicable discipline.
• 12 or more years of relevant engineering, technical, operational, integration, or systems-fielding experience.
• Experience with development and integration of DoD and/or IC space capabilities, missions, and/or programs in standard and/or rapid acquisition environments.
• Experience with developmental or operational testing of DoD and/or IC space capabilities.
• Experience working with integrated Government, FFRDC, SETA teams, and end-state users.
• Ability to work and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and address complex problems without clear point solutions.
• Demonstrated strong technical leadership, interpersonal, and team-building skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to engage and communicate effectively with senior leaders.
• Experience supporting design reviews and Failure Review Boards (FRBs) and Material Review Boards (MRBs), evaluating engineering drawings, conducting risk assessments, and recommending paths forward.
• Current Top Secret/SCI security clearance issued by the U.S. government and SAP/SAR eligibility.
• Willingness to travel domestically up to 20% of the time.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in a technical engineering or science discipline.
• 20 or more years of end-to-end acquisition experience across enterprise, space, ground, and user segments for National Security Space customers.
• Experience balancing technical detail with broader programmatic perspectives.
• Understanding of and experience working with a matrixed engineering organization.
• Demonstrated ability to function effectively, efficiently, and collaboratively with limited supervision.
• Strong customer-oriented attitude and outstanding skills coordinating exchanges between technical staff and the customer.

Responsibilities

• Identify and direct potential innovations and risk-reduction activities, including independent analyses and laboratory testing capabilities, within the program office and for corporate strategic projects and initiatives.
• Define and coordinate teams addressing difficult technical issues within the program and across program lines, and communicate recommendations to Aerospace and customer management.
• Mentor personnel in the program office and ETG.
• Collaborate with SETA and government customer counterparts to meet mission needs.
• Engage and work closely with customers and other Aerospace Offices to identify and apply resources that support successful program execution.
• Advise the Government on trade-offs among alternative analyses and recommend capability- and risk-based courses of action considering operational, technical, and acquisition factors.
• Lead and coordinate subject matter experts across multiple efforts in systems engineering, integration, and test activities, including integrating and formalizing inputs for reports to corporate and customer leadership.

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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior