Launch Vehicle Systems Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

401(k) plan

Education assistance

Professional growth and development

Inclusive work environment

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, CA is seeking a Launch Vehicle Systems Engineer to lead the NSSL Lane 1 acquisition and mission assurance activities. You will drive RFPs, source selection, and contract execution, while coordinating with Space Access and SSC leadership on engineering processes and launch verification.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in launch/space hardware, strong Python/AI skills, and the ability to obtain a Secret clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in a technical or STEM field.
• 8+ years of professional growth and related experience with launch or space vehicle hardware.
• Strong familiarity with launch or space vehicle hardware design, analysis, and testing.
• Strong familiarity with Python and AI LLMs for data reviews, analysis, and task automation.
• Track record in leading or participating in multi-disciplinary technical team efforts.
• Ability to travel as needed (mostly domestic).
• Secret clearance required; U.S. citizenship required to obtain security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for NSSL Lane 1 acquisition effort, including RFP development, source selection, and contract execution
• Work closely with Space Access Director of Engineering and staff to develop and maintain NSSL Lane 1 mission assurance and systems engineering processes
• Develop and maintain NSSL Lane 1 mission assurance command media, contractual documents, compliance documents (e.g. NSSL-S-016), and launch verification matrix
• Support launch systems design and process reviews of NSSL new entrants
• Communicate status and progress of technical activities, issues, and accomplishments through reports and briefings to Aerospace, Space Force, and contractor teams
• Support New Glenn GS3 certification plan development and execution
• Develop AI tools to help engineers perform mission assurance tasks (e.g., compliance gap assessments, acquisition assessments, launch forecasts, risk assessments)
• Develop data ingestion and integration tools to automate data flows

Skills

Python

AI LLMs

Data analysis

Leadership

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor of Science in a technical/STEM field

Advanced STEM degree

Tools

Launch vehicle design tooling

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, development planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape the future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including US Space Force, U.S 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. DSG also assists the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

The Launch Systems Division (LSD) helps our customers develop innovative solutions in support of military, human space flight, and commercial applications by interfacing with organizations such as the United States Space Force, NASA, DARPA, NRO, and FAA. Our people provide customers timely, value added, decision quality information and analyses to solve technical and programmatic issues to outpace the threat. We are seeking a well-qualified Launch Vehicle Systems Engineer with proven technical leadership and outstanding communication abilities to be part of a team that supports and shapes the future of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program (USSF/SSC/SA) as part of the Space Access Systems Delta 80 organization. We on-ramp emerging launch vehicles (e.g., New Glenn, Neutron, Nova) to accommodate NSS missions that can tolerate elevated flight risks using the NSSL Lane 1 acquisition approach. Our team coordinates and maintains support for the evaluation of launch vehicle design, launch service provider processes, operational capabilities, and tiered mission assurance processes. Are you ready to launch your career in this exciting new mission area?

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA, at LAAFB in the SSC/SYD80 Program Office, part of a customer-facing team.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide technical leadership for NSSL Lane 1 acquisition effort, including RFP development, source selection, and contract execution
• Work closely with Space Access Director of Engineering and staff to develop and maintain NSSL Lane 1 mission assurance and systems engineering processes
• Develop and maintain NSSL Lane 1 mission assurance command media, contractual documents, compliance documents (e.g. NSSL-S-016), and launch verification matrix
• Support launch systems design and process reviews of NSSL new entrants
• Communicate status and progress of technical activities, issues, and accomplishments through reports and briefings to Aerospace, Space Force, and contractor teams
• Support New Glenn GS3 certification plan development and execution
• Develop AI tools to help engineers perform mission assurance tasks (e.g., compliance gap assessments, acquisition assessments, launch forecasts, risk assessments)
• Develop data ingestion and integration tools to automate data flows

Minimum Requirements for Project Engineer - Systems and Mission Assurance Engineering

• Bachelor of Science degree in a technical or STEM-related area of study
• 8 or more years of professional growth and related experience with launch or space vehicle hardware
• Strong familiarity with launch or space vehicle hardware design, analysis, and testing
• Strong familiarity with Python and AI LLMs for data reviews, analysis, and task automation
• Track record in leading or participating in multi-disciplinary technical team efforts
• Ability to travel as needed (mostly domestic)
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

How You Can Stand Out

• An advanced STEM degree
• Hands-on experience working with launch vehicle or spacecraft hardware
• Expertise in the design, analysis, and testing of launch vehicle or spacecraft hardware
• Proficiency in design, analysis, and testing of launch vehicle systems
• Familiarity with NSSL processes, specifications, and standards
• Proficiency in using Python or other programming languages for data review and analysis
• Proficiency in using AI LLMs for task automation
• Innovative and futuristic thinking to drive continuous improvement

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 equal opportunity 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, genetic information, 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 email at [e-mail] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.