Senior Cyber Mission Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 166,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care plans

Paid holidays

401(k) Plan

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

Flexible spending accounts

Professional growth

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation seeks a Mission Cyber Architect to collaborate with government agencies, prime contractors, and internal teams to define and implement robust cybersecurity across complex space systems. You will develop security objectives and verification methods, supporting mission-critical decisions with a cybersecurity-informed perspective.

Minimum qualifications include 12+ years in security, leadership of cybersecurity programs, and an active TS/SCI clearance.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of system security across multiple cybersecurity domains (applications security, defensive cyber operations, vulnerability analysis, reverse engineering, network security, embedded systems security).
• Experience leading cybersecurity teams and programs, with ability to analyze complex problems and deliver solutions under pressure.
• Experience defining and analyzing threat/vulnerability likelihood, with mission impact to determine risk.
• Willing to travel locally and long distance to work locations or customer sites ~30% of the time if required.
• Active TS//SCI clearance; U.S. citizenship required to obtain clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide cybersecurity systems engineering support to government and contracted personnel in cyber security, cyber test and systems engineering.
• Support cyber engineering, design, implement, and monitor for protection of systems throughout the SDLC.
• Review and design security architecture for ground systems and recommend improvements to baselines.
• Identify and define system security requirements and develop detailed cybersecurity designs.
• Identify strategies for mitigation or removal of vulnerabilities in ground and space systems.
• Participate in program protection and risk management to ensure vulnerabilities are evaluated and mitigations applied.
• Provide cybersecurity expertise to support critical decision points and assess security events.

Skills

Threat analysis

Team leadership

Cybersecurity domains

Security clearance

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM or Information Security/Technology

Tools

AWS

Azure

VMware

OpenShift

Kubernetes

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 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 Information Systems and Cyber Division (ISCD) is a unique engineering division partnering across the full space enterprise to advance next-generation digital solutions and software-enabled mission capabilities. With customers spanning the DoD, Intelligence Community (IC), civil and commercial space, ISCD blends expertise in software architecture, AI/ML systems, data fabric/architecture, advanced cloud and edge platforms, cybersecurity, and full-stack engineering through mission-focused, collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams. These collaborative teams leverage hands‑on prototyping and applied R&D to support customer concepts, software architecture and development, and integration of the latest digital technology solutions. By bringing multi-disciplinary technical insight to critical space missions, ISCD is positioned at the forefront of innovative software and technology for excited new ways to make real‑world impact.

Aerospace’s Cyberspace Systems & Security Subdivision (CS3) is seeking a Mission Cyber Architect to work closely with key stakeholders including government agencies, prime contractors, commercial vendors, and internal teams to define and implement robust cybersecurity measures across complex systems. You will facilitate the definition of security objectives, develop system security requirements and verification methods, and support mission‑critical engineering decisions by providing a cybersecurity‑informed perspective. Your work will ensure that security objectives, protection needs, assurance requirements, and risk management strategies are clearly defined, implemented, and validated.

This is a full time position 100% onsite at Buckley SFB (Denver, CO).

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide comprehensive cybersecurity systems engineering support to government and contracted personnel in the areas of cyber security, cyber test and systems engineering.
• Support cyber engineering, design, implemention and monitoring for the protection of computer systems, networks and information throughout the system development lifecycle.
• Review and design security architecture for ground systems and provide recommendations on security improvements to the system’s baseline.
• Identify and define system security requirements and develop detailed cybersecurity designs that align with and complement mission objectives.
• Identify and recommend strategies for mitigation and/or removal of ground and space cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
• Participate in program protection and risk management activities to ensure cybersecurity vulnerabilities are evaluated and effective mitigations applied in accordance with security directives.
• Provide cybersecurity expertise in support of critical decision points and provide ground truth assessments of security events/activities and posture.
• Review cybersecurity test procedures for requirements satisfaction, including participation in Test Readiness Review activities and witnessing of test events.

What You Need To Be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Senior Engineering Specialist - Cyber Security Architecture and Information Systems Security

Bachelor's degree in STEM or in Information Security/Technology, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Cybersecurity, or related subject area.

• 12 or more years of system security experience across multiple cybersecurity domains (applications security, defensive cyber operations, vulnerability analysis, reverse engineering, network security, embedded systems security) with proven track record of delivering mission‑critical security solutions.
• Demonstrated experience leading cybersecurity teams and programs, with the ability to analyze complex problems and deliver effective solutions in high pressure environments that directly impact mission success.
• Experience defining and analyzing threat/vulnerability likelihood, coupled with mission impact, to determine risk.
• Willing to travel locally and long distance to work locations or customer sites approx. 30% of the time if required.
• This position requires an active TS//SCI security clearance, which is issued by the US 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:

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Systems Engineering, or Software Engineering.
• Multiple cybersecurity certifications (CISSP, CISSP-ISSAP, CISSP-ISSEP, C|EH, SANS, etc.)
• Understanding of satellite system design and technology along with the challenges associated with securing them.

Familiarity with Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Missile Warning and Missile Tracking.

• Experience with various cloud offerings and services (AWS, Azure, VMWare, Open Shift, Red Hat Kubernetes, and other relevant technologies).
• Experience with secure software application development and pipeline delivery/testing between SW factory and operational environments.
• Experience developing technical solutions and new security tools to help mitigate security vulnerabilities and automate repeatable tasks.

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)

$166,400.00 - $249,600.00

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.