Aerospace Engineer-SME with Security Clearance

Astrion; El Segundo (CA); Hybrid; USD 117,000 - 143,000; Full time

Job summary

Astrion in the Los Angeles area is seeking an Aerospace Engineer-SME to provide senior-level aerospace systems engineering across the full acquisition lifecycle. You will support requirements, verification, traceability, and configuration control while coordinating across space, ground, launch, and mission segments.

The role requires active DoD security clearance, extensive DoD/Space Force program experience, MBSE and Digital Engineering familiarity, and strong technical writing and stakeholder

Qualifications

• At least 15 years of aerospace, space systems, defense acquisition, or systems engineering experience.
• Experience supporting DoD or Space Force acquisition programs.
• Active DoD Secret clearance or ability to obtain one.

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 MBSE, Digital Engineering, and mission-thread analysis.

Skills

Aerospace Engineering

Systems Engineering

DoD Acquisition

MBSE

Technical Writing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Overview Aerospace Engineer-SME; SETA Support Location: Los Angeles Air Force Base; in person/hybrid. Not remote Job 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

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. #CJ CJ#