Sr. Spacecraft Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation • Los Angeles, CA

16h • Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking an experienced Sr. Spacecraft Engineer to support the Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS) program, a next-generation nuclear command, control, and communication satellite system. The position works within an integrated program office involving the U.S. Space Force, Aerospace, SE&I, SETA, and prime contractors. The engineer will apply systems engineering expertise to spacecraft development across multiple architecture designs and help ensure acquisition efforts align with capability needs and government acquisition practices.

The role shares responsibility with the bus/platform lead for technical advisement across power, thermal, propulsion, attitude control, and command and data handling subsystems. The engineer will work with an experienced team and regularly interface with Space Force leadership, Aerospace personnel, support contractors, and prime contractors. This position is full-time and on-site at the Aerospace Corporation facility at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, with travel to contractor and vendor facilities as required. Active Secret clearance is required, with the ability to obtain Top Secret clearance with SCI access; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or science from a recognized institution, or a related STEM field.
• Twelve or more years of increasing-responsibility professional engineering or scientific experience working across government programs.
• Demonstrated space systems engineering skills, including the ability to explain and present to customers how specific issues connect to the broader program.
• Experience with one or more major platform subsystems, such as power, propulsion, attitude control, timing, or thermal subsystems.
• Project leadership experience, including the ability to work independently and guide a team toward solutions.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams with Aerospace, government, and contractor personnel.
• Active Secret clearance and ability to obtain Top Secret clearance with SCI access; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with mission assurance principles and practices.
• Familiarity with IEEE 15288.2, IEEE Standard for Application of Systems Engineering on Defense Programs.
• Understanding of space system acquisition.
• MILSATCOM program office experience.
• Familiarity with Aerospace culture and prior experience coordinating with the Engineering & Technology Group (ETG).
• Advanced technical degree in engineering, science, physics, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Advise Aerospace leadership and the customer on prime contractor execution status, risks, issues, and opportunities for bus subsystems.
• Maintain effective working relationships with customer leadership, contractors, ETG, and other supporting contractors.
• Manage allocated resources and prioritize tasking for ETG subject matter experts.
• Collaborate with ETG to deliver technical position papers, design assessments, and briefings on technical, cost, and schedule risks relating to space vehicle subsystems, including electrical power, propulsion, attitude control, timing, space vehicle integration, and launch vehicle integration.
• Advise the Space Force customer on whether space contractors can meet detailed requirements with their proposed designs and performance.
• Lead or coordinate technical teams and serve as spokesperson for working groups to management and customers.
• Monitor and assess contractor performance and delivery of products or services under space, ground, and crypto contracts related to ESS bus design and implementation.
• Apply systems engineering principles in support of the program execution phase.
• Travel to contractor and vendor facilities as required.

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 total company-paid benefits 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