Systems Engineer - Space Futures Integration

The Aerospace Corporation•Crystal City, VA

3d•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, developmental planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape future space missions across the national security space enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including Air Force Space Command, U.S. Strategic 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. Aerospace provides technical advice, thought leadership, and systems engineering support to the Space Force. The organization this role supports is building and evolving the service’s activities to ideate and design the Objective Force using modern digital environments and enterprise architecture models. In addition to directly supporting senior Space Force leadership, Aerospace also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with government customers but also horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. This position is for a Systems Engineer - Space Futures Integration (Project Engineer – Enterprise Systems Engineering) with a start-up mentality. We’re looking for teammates who can wear different hats on different days as we build a new program for an emerging mission set. At times, the selected candidate may find themselves leading a team of technical staff to define questions, conduct systems engineering and modeling, execute analyses, and develop prototypes alongside the Government in support of the services’ future-oriented activities. The Systems Engineer will work with a growing futures support team and reach across Aerospace for technical support to provide valuable expertise on a number of enterprise systems engineering, concept development, and wargaming projects.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, science, or other related technical discipline
6 years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including multi-disciplinary systems engineering and/or program management environments
Familiarity with/knowledge of the USSF or national security space enterprise
Possess excellent interpersonal skills and adept at oral and written communication
Willing to travel domestically on occasion when required by the customer (approx. <20%)
Exceptional time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects
Current Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance
US citizenship

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in engineering, mathematics, science, or other related technical discipline
Exposure to and/or substantive knowledge of the breadth and depth of the USSF or national security space enterprise.
Deep technical expertise in one or more USSF mission areas
Demonstrated examples of innovative and entrepreneurial solutioning
Demonstrated experience briefing senior Government leaders (General Officer and/or SES)
Possess a thorough understanding of the roles played by the Office of the Secretary of Defense; the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force; the United States Space Force, U.S. Space Command; the space system program offices; the defense agencies; the Joint Staff; and other government organizations in the acquisition, management, and operation of the national security space enterprise

Responsibilities

Lead and direct technical teams supporting Space Force future concept and force design activities.
Identify gaps and opportunities, propose and implement solutions to improve the effectiveness, coherence, and technical depth of future concept and force design work.
Collaborate and function effectively in an onsite environment with the customer and work with senior Government leaders, the various Aerospace program offices, and the Aerospace Engineering and Technical Group (ETG) to address technical and programmatic issues and provide the customer with the best available technical analyses and recommendations.
Develop, foster, and maintain relationships with field and headquarters offices across the United States Space Force (USSF).
Be positioned to help address the breadth and depth of Space Force systems engineering and integration challenges and issues, build end-to-end processes and models, and lead data infrastructure development activities.
Deliver results on time-sensitive staff inquiries and provide technical support and assistance with official responses to Congress, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, HQ Space Force and the Intelligence Community (IC).

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