Technical Project Engineer , Software Portfolio & Program Integration

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

12d•$129,000 - $193,500•Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Technical Project Engineer to provide portfolio-wide program integration for the Software Tools & Assurance Department within its Information Systems and Cyber Division. The role works across the department and subdivision’s ongoing programs and projects, partnering with technical leads and leadership to maintain visibility into delivery health, risks, opportunities, priorities, and resource needs. It is a technical program management role requiring practical understanding of software architecture, CI/CD, and Agile delivery so the engineer can engage credibly with technical leads and translate technical detail for leadership. The position also contributes over time to portfolio development and customer engagement strategy. This is a full-time, on-site position in El Segundo, California, or Albuquerque, New Mexico. Occasional travel to other domestic work locations or customer sites is required. The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain one. The posting describes Project Engineer (L2) and Senior Project Engineer (L3) levels. L2 requires a bachelor’s degree in an applicable STEM area or another discipline and at least eight years of progressively responsible experience in software engineering, software architecture, or technical program/project management. L3 additionally requires at least twelve years of such experience, a track record coordinating delivery of multiple complex software programs simultaneously with direct leadership engagement, and the ability to shape portfolio organization, prioritization, and resourcing independently. The grade-based annual pay range is $129,000 to $193,500. Salary within the range depends on factors including education, experience, knowledge, and skills.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in an applicable STEM area or another discipline.
For Project Engineer (L2): eight or more years of progressively responsible experience in software engineering, software architecture, or technical program/project management.
For Senior Project Engineer (L3): twelve or more years of progressively responsible experience in software engineering, software architecture, or technical program/project management.
Demonstrated experience in software architecture, design, CI/CD, and Agile delivery practices sufficient to engage credibly with technical leads about project health and risk.
Experience tracking, synthesizing, and reporting status across multiple concurrent projects or workstreams to leadership.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate technical detail into clear management narratives about status, risks, and opportunities.
Ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities and build relationships across technical teams that do not report to the role.
Willingness to travel occasionally to other domestic work locations or customer sites.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.
For Senior Project Engineer (L3): track record of leading or coordinating delivery of multiple complex software programs simultaneously, including direct engagement with program and department leadership.
For Senior Project Engineer (L3): demonstrated ability to independently shape portfolio organization, prioritization, and resourcing.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (Master’s or Doctorate) in a STEM or related technical field.
Prior experience as a Technical Program Manager, Project Manager, or similar role spanning multiple software products or programs.
Previous experience leading ground segment programs for DoW missions.
Hands-on background in software architecture, design, CI/CD pipelines (such as Jenkins), or cloud/microservices environments.
Experience building or operating portfolio-level status reporting, dashboards, or governance processes for engineering leadership.
Experience shaping customer engagement strategy or business development across a portfolio of programs.
Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), or equivalent certification.
Demonstrated ability to apply industry knowledge of modern software and program management practices to drive innovation within established teams.
Strong track record of building, mentoring, and leading technical teams or working groups from the ground up.
Active TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

Gather and synthesize status across ongoing programs and projects, maintaining an accurate consolidated portfolio view for department and subdivision leadership.
Identify project blockers, risks, resource conflicts, and emerging opportunities, and escalate them to management with relevant context.
Partner with technical leads across concurrent projects to understand architecture decisions, delivery health, and schedule risk, and accurately represent project status.
Help leadership organize, prioritize, and evolve the portfolio, including how projects are grouped, staffed, and sequenced.
Establish and refine recurring status reviews, dashboards, and reports for communicating portfolio health to leadership.
Contribute to customer engagement strategy across the portfolio and identify patterns that can inform future strategy.
Champion modern software development methodologies, introduce commercial perspectives, challenge established practices, and mentor junior engineers.

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 benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service, plus matching contributions; immediate eligibility and vesting 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.