Avionics Launch Vehicle Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 227,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking a dedicated Project Engineer to lead a team in evaluating and certifying Avionics systems for national security space missions. This role involves collaboration with top-tier contractors and government agencies, ensuring mission assurance and technical integrity. With a focus on leadership and mentorship, you will enhance the capabilities of your team while driving impactful projects that contribute to the future of space exploration. Join a dynamic environment where your expertise will shape the next generation of aerospace solutions.

Benefits

Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

401(k) Plan with company-paid benefits

Flexible spending accounts

Professional growth and development programs

Education assistance programs

Relocation assistance

Standard and alternate work schedules

Telework options

Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

Qualifications

• 8 years of experience in Electrical/Electronic engineering with Avionics focus.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary technical teams and providing guidance.

Responsibilities

• Lead analysis, design, and certification for Avionics systems.
• Manage technical assessments to ensure compliance and performance.

Skills

Avionics system design

Electrical Engineering

Mission assurance

Hardware testing

Team leadership

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Electrical Power systems

RF & Telemetry systems

Guidance & Control systems

Job description

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 United States Space Force, United States Space Command, Air Force Material 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.

The Launch Systems, Operations, and Development Avionics team within the Launch Systems Division is seeking a well-qualified individual with demonstrated leadership and exceptional communication abilities. In this role you will manage and provide leadership for a team of Engineering & Technology Group (ETG) engineers to evaluate, certify, and provide mission assurance for Avionics systems used on the SpaceX, Blue Origin and other National Security Space Launch vehicles for the United States Space Force. You will be responsible for ensuring ETG consistently provides technically sound and objective assessments along with recommendations to Aerospace and Space Force leadership within appropriate timelines and budget allocations for the purposes of launch vehicle certification and operational mission assurance. You will also be responsible for providing direction, mentoring, and developing the technical and functional capabilities of the team while also building effective working relationships with the Space Force team, contractor counterparts (e.g. SpaceX and their suppliers), and other interested parties (e.g. NRO and NASA).

This role can be filled as a Sr Project Engineer or Project Engineer depending on experience and qualifications. The Avionics Program Office team works with Guidance & Control systems, Electrical Power systems, Instrumentation, RF & Telemetry systems, supports mission integration.

Work Model

This is an full-time on-site position at the Los Angeles Space Force Base in El Segundo, CA .

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead activities related to analysis, design, development, evaluation, testing, certification, Hardware reviews, mission assurance, fleet monitoring, and launch support for Avionics systems
• Manage Aerospace Engineering & Technology Group (ETG) performing technical assessments that assure the integrity, reliability, performance, and compliance of Avionics hardware and systems meet customer requirements
• Collaborate with other program office staff responsible for other aspects of launch systems (such as GNC, Propulsion, Structures and Systems Engineering, etc)
• Support management and Systems engineering activities as needed
• Prepare reports, briefings, updates, and documents as needed in support of program activities and Aerospace processes
• Build and maintain close working relationship with the Space Force and Aerospace program offices, Contractors, and representatives from other government agencies
• Provide technical advice/recommendations and inform Customer/Aerospace management of technical activities, issues and accomplishments through reports and briefings to senior level management
• Assist the contractor and USG in certifying and launching vehicles
• Establish mutually beneficial solutions between the contractors and the USG team

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements – Project Engineer, Electronics Engineering

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering or related technical field
• 8 years of related engineering experience
• Past work in Electrical/Electronic engineering with an emphasis on Avionics systems in the following areas: Avionics system design, analysis/evaluation, hardware testing (box, sub-system and system level), mission assurance, or mission support
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary technical team efforts
• A current DOD Secret Clearance or the ability to obtain/maintain a Secret Clearance, which is issued by the U.S. Government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
• Must be physically able to enter manufacturing facility, travel to test sites, and travel to launch site to support missions, and travel between campuses

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Sr Project Engineer, Electronics Engineering include:

• 12 years of related engineering experience
• Experience guiding multi-disciplinary technical team efforts
• Proven experience guiding ongoing technical consultation and advice to management, customers, and contractors in area of specialization
• A current DOD Secret Clearance or the ability to obtain/maintain a Secret Clearance, which is issued by the U.S. Government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• MS. and/or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with emphasis in Controls, Guidance/Navigation, Electrical Power or Communication (RF & Telemetry) systems from a recognized institution
• Past work in Avionics systems in the following areas: Controls, Guidance/Navigation, Electrical Power or Telemetry systems, Avionics system design, analysis/evaluation, hardware/system testing, mission assurance, or mission support
• Experience leading component, sub-system and system level hardware reviews, developing and delivering presentations to peers and all levels of management
• Consulting or advising external groups
• Knowledge of the Launch Verification Matrix, Chief Engineer Review Board, and/or Risk management matrix

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

$117,300 - $226,900 Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change
• Engage with Impact
• Foster Innovation
• Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:

• 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

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equalopportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color,religion,geneticinformation, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by [e-mail] .You can also reviewKnow Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.