Senior SATCOM Payload Architect

The Aerospace Corporation; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 171,000 - 257,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Healthcare benefits

401(k) plan

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation seeks a Lead SATCOM Payload Engineer to guide the ESS payload portfolio at Los Angeles AFB, leading a seasoned team and interfacing with Space Force leaders and prime contractors.

You will apply systems engineering to ensure mission-capable payloads, mentor engineers, and drive technical strategy for acquisition and performance within a high-security national space program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in engineering or science from a recognized institution or related STEM field.
• 12+ years of escalating responsibilities in professional engineering/scientific roles on government programs.
• Demonstrated space systems engineering skills and ability to relate issues to the broader program.
• Significant experience with satellite communication hardware and/or digital/analog waveform processing.
• Experience leading cross-organizational technical efforts with high innovation and initiative.
• Experience budgeting, allocating resources, and coordinating technical support.
• Proven ability to build multi-disciplinary teams and maintain strong stakeholder relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; writing sample and presentation required.
• Ability to mentor team members and provide technical guidance.
• Willingness to travel to contractor and vendor facilities; active Top Secret/SBI clearance is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the payload engineering team within the ESS program office.
• Provide technical guidance to Space Force leadership and government customers.
• Maintain relationships with customer leadership, contractors, and ETG.
• Manage resources and prioritize tasks for SME teams.
• Deliver technical position papers and design assessments on payload design and risk.
• Act as senior technical advisor to Space Force on payload architecture and performance.
• Coordinate integration efforts and represent working groups to management.
• Monitor contractor performance across space, ground, and crypto contracts related to ESS payloads.
• Apply systems engineering principles to program execution.
• Mentor less experienced engineers and promote technical development.

Skills

BS in Engineering/Science

Space systems engineering

SATCOM hardware

Digital/analog waveform processing

Cross-organizational leadership

Budgeting and resource planning

Mentoring and coaching

Excellent written and verbal comms

Travel readiness

Security clearance eligibility

Education

B.S. in Engineering or Science

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation seeks a Lead SATCOM Payload Engineer to guide the ESS payload portfolio at Los Angeles AFB, leading a seasoned team and interfacing with Space Force leaders and prime contractors.

You will apply systems engineering to ensure mission-capable payloads, mentor engineers, and drive technical strategy for acquisition and performance within a high-security national space program.