Senior Space Technology Development Lead

The Aerospace Corporation; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 155,900 - 233,900; Full time

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in Chantilly, VA is seeking a Research and Development Senior Project Leader – Multi-Disciplinary Engineering to guide cross‑discipline R&D for next‑generation space technologies, advising on overhead intelligence systems, ground and communications, and autonomy/machine learning.

This full‑time, onsite role requires 12+ years of space R&D experience, a TS/SCI clearance, and a bachelor’s in a technical field; you’ll mentor teams and interface with government officials to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, mathematics, or a related technical field.
• 12+ years of relevant experience after bachelor’s degree.
• Experience in research and development of new technologies for space systems such as microelectronics, optical sensors, or RF systems.
• Extensive experience in technical project management, scoping projects and leveraging inter-disciplinary teams.
• This position requires a current and active TS/SCI security clearance and polygraph; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Conceiving and leading laboratory investigations, modeling and simulation, and technical assessment activities across the customer portfolio.
• Leveraging Aerospace experts across the corporation to scope, direct, and integrate technical analysis in support of R&D of advanced technologies for overhead intelligence collection and processing.
• Leading efforts to evaluate the impact of new concepts, technologies, and CONOPs on the national security space architecture.
• Distilling inputs into rigorous technical analyses to inform government decisions on future technology and demonstration system investments.
• Acting as a senior mentor to other team members.
• Interfacing daily with mid- and senior-level government officials, SETA, and contractor personnel as part of a small team in a fast-paced environment.
• Occasional travel, up to 10% of the time.

Skills

Technical leadership

Project management

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Stakeholder interfacing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, mathematics, or a related technical field

Tools

Security clearance TS/SCI + polygraph

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.

The Advanced Research and Engineering (AR&E) subdivision leads Aerospace support to the R&D portfolio of a major intelligence agency. AR&E is looking for a Research and Development Senior Project Leader (Sr. Project Leader – Multi – Disciplinary Engineering) to leverage expertise across the corporation to research, develop, and demonstrate next generation space technologies in support of this influential customer.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to impact the direction of this National Security Space portfolio, advising the customer on the advancement of critical technologies spanning cross-phenomenology overhead intelligence systems, the ground and communications enterprise, and the effective utilization of autonomy and machine learning.

This is a full-time position based in Chantilly, which requires 100% onsite work.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Conceiving and leading laboratory investigations, modeling and simulation, and technical assessment activities across the customer portfolio.
• Leveraging Aerospace experts across the corporation to scope, direct, and integrate technical analysis in support of research and development of advanced technologies for overhead intelligence collection and processing.
• Leading efforts to evaluate the impact of new concepts, technologies, and CONOPs on the national security space architecture.
• Distilling varied inputs into rigorous technical analyses to inform government decisions on future technology and demonstration system investments.
• Acting as a senior mentor to other team members.
• Interfacing daily with mid- and senior-level government officials, SETA, and contractor personnel as part of a small team in a fast-paced environment.
• Occasional travel, up to 10% of the time.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Sr. Project Leader – Multi-Disciplinary Engineering

• Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, mathematics, or a related technical field.
• 12 or more years of relevant experience after bachelor’s degree.
• Experience in research and development of new technologies for space systems, such as microelectronics, optical sensors, or RF systems.
• Extensive experience in technical project management, scoping projects and leveraging inter-disciplinary teams.
• This position requires a current and active TS/SCI security clearance and polygraph, which is issued by the U.S. government.
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

• Advanced degree in science, engineering, mathematics, or a related technical field.
• Direct experience with government or commercial space systems.
• Experience in space-relevant technology areas such as: Microelectronics design, fabrication, assembly, or testing Optical and RF remote sensing technologies and applications including photonics AI/ML and autonomy Quantum sensing and communications.

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) $155,900.00 - $233,900.00 Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who: Operate Strategically Lead Change Engage with Impact Foster Innovation Deliver Results.

Ways We Reward Our Employees

• 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.

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.

Return to the Aerospace Careers site.

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