Disruptive Technologies Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; Huntsville (TN); On-site; USD 117,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care and wellness plans

Holidays, sick time, and vacation

Telework options

401(k) Plan with company match

Education assistance

Relocation assistance

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation, headquartered to support the nation’s space programs, seeks a Disruptive Technologies Engineer to guide next‑gen defense capabilities. This on‑site role in Huntsville, AL, leads expert teams and advises MDA program offices on high‑impact technical solutions.

Minimum 8+ years of experience in advanced technologies, with EO/IR, directed energy, or laser systems, and an active Top Secret clearance or eligibility is required. Travel is occasional as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or related field.
• 8+ years of relevant technical experience, missile defense exposure.
• Experience with EO/IR sensing, directed energy, or laser-based systems.
• Ability to coordinate and lead multi-disciplinary technical teams.
• Willingness to travel occasionally; TS/SCI/SAP-SAR eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Perform and lead complex technical assessments of advanced technologies.
• Assemble and direct teams to evaluate EO/IR, lasers, DE, and other disruptive tech.
• Advise MDA program offices with expert consultation.
• Develop and gain approval for in-depth technical analyses.
• Frame problems and execute focused studies with government and internal teams.
• Identify solutions for the MDA’s most challenging problems.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Travel

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/physics/math

Tools

Microsoft PowerPoint

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, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Material Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers’ portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

DSG is seeking a Disruptive Technologies Engineer who will be instrumental in guiding the development and assessment of next-generation defense capabilities. This role will apply engineering expertise to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). This is a unique opportunity to work with a diverse team of subject matter experts on cutting‑edge technologies that are critical to our national security. You will be at the forefront of innovation, shaping the future of missile defense by adapting existing systems for new applications and guiding the development of next‑generation capabilities. Your work on systems like advanced EO/IR sensors, directed energy, advanced discrimination approaches, and other emerging and disruptive technologies will directly inform strategic decisions and ensure the nation maintains its technological advantage.

The selected candidate will be required to work full‑time on‑site at our facility in Huntsville, AL.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Perform and lead complex technical assessments of advanced technologies to inform customer decisions on critical defense programs.
• Assemble and direct teams of Aerospace subject matter experts to evaluate a wide range of systems, including EO/IR sensors, laser‑based systems, Directed Energy, advanced discrimination approaches, and other non‑kinetic and disruptive technologies.
• Act as a trusted advisor and technical facilitator to MDA program offices, providing direct expert consultation when needed, while seamlessly coordinating and guiding Aerospace SMEs to ensure the delivery of high‑impact technical solutions.
• Develop, coordinate, and gain approval for in‑depth technical analyses, ensuring our efforts deliver maximum value to the customer.
• Frame complex problems and execute focused studies both independently and collaboratively with government customers and internal teams.
• Operate strategically by identifying and developing solutions for the MDA’s most challenging problems.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Project Engineer - Enterprise System Engineering_:_

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or a related technical discipline (e.g., aerospace, electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering).
• 8 or more years of relevant technical experience, with some exposure to missile defense systems or related mission areas.
• Demonstrated experience with advanced technologies such as EO/IR sensing, directed energy, laser‑based systems, or advanced discrimination.
• Proven ability to coordinate and lead multidisciplinary technical teams through complex analyses to solve challenging aerospace or defense‑related problems.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with geographically dispersed teams to ensure timely responses to urgent customer tasking.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to effectively brief senior Customer, Contractor, and Aerospace management, supported by a proficiency in presentation tools like Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated ability to solve ambiguous problems and work proactively within a dynamic environment where priorities may change.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to other work locations or customer sites as required.
• This position requires an active Top Secret security clearance and the ability to be cleared for SAP/SAR access and TS/SCI, which are 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:

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or a related technical discipline.
• Direct experience with the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) or within the missile defense mission area.
• Proven ability to build consensus and establish effective working relationships in a matrixed environment, with a strong aptitude for anticipating customer needs and building trust.
• Technical expertise in the development, testing, or integration of advanced technologies on airborne and/or space‑based platforms.
• Experience with early‑stage program acquisitions, rapid prototyping initiatives, or technology demonstration missions.
• A currently active Top Secret security clearance with SCI and SAP/SAR access.

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)

$117,300.00 - $175,900.00

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

• 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 emailat [e-mail]. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.