Mission Orchestration Project Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 193,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

401(k) plan

Telework options

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Mission Orchestration Project Engineer (AI/ML) to join the SGSPO in Chantilly, VA. This on-site role focuses on developing next-gen SIGINT ground architectures with AI/ML capabilities and mission orchestration, requiring strong engineering leadership.

Ideal candidates have 8+ years in engineering/science, with experience across system design, simulations, and program management, plus TS/SCI with polygraph clearance and US citizenship.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering, scientific, or related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of professional engineering/scientific experience.
• Experience in multi-disciplinary systems engineering or program management.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to guide SIGINT ground architecture development with emphasis on AI/ML integration.
• Perform system-level architectural analysis and conceptual design for SIGINT mission management.
• Work with teams to analyze AI/ML technologies and deliver a resilient, optimized SIGINT architecture.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to ensure user needs are understood and met.

Skills

AI/ML frameworks

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or science

Tools

Simulation software

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 National Systems Group serves as the technical advisor to the Intelligence Community and its mission partners involved in the collection and distribution of national and tactical intelligence, including electronics programs, advanced technologies, ground and communications, imagery programs, and systems engineering and launch.

We are seeking a Mission Orchestration Project Engineer (Project Engineer - Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning) to be part of the National Reconnaissance Office’s SIGINT Ground Systems Program Office (SGSPO) within the Ground Enterprise Directorate (GED). This customer is responsible for the development and delivery of a SIGINT baseline ground portfolio and guiding the evolution of those systems to a fully integrated and resilient enterprise. In this position, you will be contributing to the development of the US Government’s next-generation SIGINT Ground Mission Orchestration systems architecture with a specific focus on mission orchestration leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities (AI/ML). This position requires 100% on site work in Chantilly, VA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide technical support and contribution to teams comprised of diversely skilled engineers servicing a major portion of a large project to guide next-generation NRO SIGINT ground architecture development with emphasis on mission orchestration and AI/ML integration
• Undertake major program segments such as system-level architectural analysis and conceptual design efforts for SIGINT mission management and orchestration systems
• Work with teams of Aerospace subject matter experts in analyzing new AI/ML technologies, integrating new systems and sensors, and delivering a resilient, responsive SIGINT ground architecture
• Proactively identify new AI/ML technologies and commercially available capabilities for integration into the future GED SIGINT architecture. Focus areas may include:
  • Agent-based modeling
  • Military utility analysis
  • Architecture capacity analysis
  • Mission Management (MM) evaluation
  • AI/ML-enabled mission orchestration and optimization
• Coordinate with enterprise stakeholders to ensure that user needs are properly understood and satisfied
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers, contractors, and program management
• Interface regularly with customer and contractor program management within the SIGINT mission domain
• Assemble major briefings and reports for senior leadership on technical analysis and recommendations

Minimum Requirements for Project Engineer - Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering, scientific, or related technical discipline from a recognized institution
• 8 or more years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including experience in multi-disciplinary systems engineering and/or program management environments
• Experience and working knowledge in one or more of the following domains:
  • Use of computer-aided simulations and analysis of systems
  • Development of software for the simulation of systems
  • Mission management or mission processing systems for space systems
  • Constellation tasking and optimization
  • Signal intelligence (SIGINT) systems and operations
  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications
  • US Government acquisitions
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers, contractors, and program offices
• Exhibits exceptionally high level of innovation, creativeness, and initiative
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Willing to travel domestically approx. 25% of the time
• This position requires a current and active TS/SSBI/SCI security clearance and polygraph, which is issued by the US Government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

What You Can Stand Out

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

• Direct experience with SIGINT mission orchestration, AI/ML applications in intelligence systems, or the activities listed in the "job summary" or "what you’ll be doing" sections above, associated with either the U.S. Department of Defense or the Intelligence Community
• A graduate degree in engineering, computer science, data science, artificial intelligence, or related technical fields
• Widely recognized internally and externally by peers, management, GED SIGINT Systems Program Office, Intelligence Community, and contractors as a technical authority in SIGINT systems or AI/ML applications
• Hands‑on experience with AI/ML frameworks, tools, and development environments applied to mission orchestration or intelligence systems
• Experience serving as Aerospace representative in customer or contractor environments within SIGINT programs
• Extensive knowledge of Intelligence Community or U.S. Department of Defense business practices, acquisition policies, or space mission portfolios, particularly related to SIGINT programs
• Current SCI Access with a current Counter‑Intelligence (CI) polygraph

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) $129,000.00 - $193,500.00 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.

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.

Right Place The Aerospace Corporation has over 26 locations nationwide, which allows us to build a workforce that will nurture the best ideas, and generate the most novel innovations and solutions to our nation’s toughest space enterprise challenges.

Right Path Aerospace covers all stages of the space lifecycle, from concept to operations. We believe our people are our most valuable resource and that’s why we propel our employees forward in their careers through ongoing education, training, and professional development.

Right Purpose We can all serve a mission much greater than ourselves, and at Aerospace that is exactly what we do. By hiring the industry’s most preeminent scientists and engineers, Aerospace advances emerging technologies that protect some of the most critical missions on Earth and above it.

Aerospace employees working in organizations with technical responsibilities are required to obtain a Security Clearance. U.S. citizenship is required for those positions.