Aerospace Engineer-SME

Astrion; El Segundo (CA); Hybrid; USD 78,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Astrion is seeking a Senior Aerospace Engineer to provide SETA support at Los Angeles Air Force Base. In-person/hybrid role near El Segundo, supporting Space Systems Command across missile warning and space sensing programs.

The candidate will lead enterprise-level systems engineering, MBSE, and mission-area analysis, coordinating with government and industry partners while mentoring junior engineers and ensuring program protection and safety compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline.
• 15+ years of aerospace/space systems experience.
• Active DoD Secret clearance or ability to obtain.
• Experience with DoD/Space Force acquisition programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior aerospace systems engineering and technical advisory across the lifecycle.
• Support requirements development, decomposition, validation, verification, and traceability.
• Conduct system-of-systems engineering across space, ground, and launch segments.
• Develop architecture using MBSE and digital engineering methodologies.
• Evaluate baselines, interfaces, risks, and readiness.
• Support reviews, boards, and acquisition milestones.
• Identify and resolve technical discrepancies; document corrective actions.
• Coordinate with stakeholders across government and industry.

Skills

Aerospace systems engineering

MBSE

Digital Engineering

System integration

Technical writing

Briefings

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Overview

Aerospace Engineer-SME; SETA SupportLocation: Los Angeles Air Force Base; in person/hybrid. Not remoteJob Type: Full-Time

Clearance: Active Top Secret

Citizenship: U.S. Citizen

Travel: Occasional travel may be required (10%)

Salary Range: $130,000 +annually*

*depending on experience, certifications, and qualifications

We are seeking a Senior Aerospace Engineer to provide Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) support to Space Systems Command, Space Sensing Directorate (SSC/SN), located at Los Angeles Air Force Base. The selected candidate will support the acquisition, development, integration, test, launch, operations, sustainment, and modernization of space-based missile warning, missile tracking, missile defense, battlespace awareness, and technical intelligence capabilities.

The engineer will provide enterprise-level systems engineering and integration support across space, ground, communications, and mission-support segments, including Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) GEO and Polar systems, FORGE, RGS, Resilient Missile Warning Track, and related OPIR sensor capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior-level aerospace systems engineering and technical advisory support across the full acquisition lifecycle.
• Support requirements development, decomposition, validation, verification, traceability, and configuration control.
• Conduct system-of-systems engineering and integration across space, ground, launch, communications, and operational mission segments.
• Support architecture development using Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Digital Engineering, and mission-thread analysis.
• Evaluate technical baselines, interfaces, system performance, risks, dependencies, and readiness.
• Support program reviews, engineering review boards, configuration control boards, technical interchange meetings, IPTs, working groups, and milestone reviews.
• Analyze technical discrepancies, anomalies, deficiencies, and interface issues; develop corrective actions and closure documentation.
• Support launch integration, early orbit operations, on-orbit checkout, operational readiness, and transition to sustainment.
• Review and assess contractor engineering products, including Systems Engineering Plans, Interface Control Documents, specifications, verification plans, test reports, risk assessments, and CDRL deliverables.
• Develop and maintain integrated master schedule inputs, critical-path analyses, risk registers, dependency/giver-receiver lists, and mitigation plans.
• Support mission area analysis for Missile Warning, Missile Defense, Battlespace Awareness, and Technical Intelligence.
• Assess the maturity and integration of ground processing, mission data, sensor fusion, command-and-control, and reporting capabilities.
• Support cybersecurity, system safety, mission assurance, resiliency, reliability, maintainability, and program protection activities.
• Coordinate with SSC organizations, mission partners, operational users, USSTRATCOM, the Intelligence Community, Missile Defense Agency, Space Delta 4, and other government and industry stakeholders.
• Prepare executive-level briefings, technical assessments, decision papers, status reports, and acquisition documentation.
• Identify technical, schedule, cost, and performance risks and recommend Courses of Action (COAs).
• Mentor junior engineers and support cross-functional engineering teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• At least 15 years of relevant aerospace, space systems, defense acquisition, or systems engineering experience.
• Experience supporting Department of Defense or Space Force acquisition programs.
• Experience with space systems, missile warning, missile tracking, missile defense, satellite systems, ground systems, or mission operations.
• Experience with requirements management, technical baseline management, systems integration, verification and validation, and risk management.
• Knowledge of the DoD acquisition lifecycle and applicable policies, processes, and standards.
• Strong technical writing, briefing, coordination, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and effectively with government, contractor, operational, and senior leadership stakeholders.
• Active DoD Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain one.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous supervisory or team-lead experience, including the ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams, assign and prioritize work, mentor personnel, manage performance, and coordinate deliverables across government and contractor organizations.
• Master’s degree in a relevant engineering or technical field.
• Experience supporting SSC, Missile Warning, OPIR, SBIRS, FORGE, or related programs.
• Familiarity with AFI 63-101/20-101, AFI 63-1201, DoDI 5000.02, MIL-STD-882E, NIST SP 800-160, and applicable space safety and acquisition guidance.
• Experience with MBSE, Digital Engineering, Agile development, DevSecOps, and model-based mission assurance.
• Experience with launch integration, on-orbit operations, ground segment integration, sensor fusion, or TCPED processes.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.

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