Solution Accelerator Systems Lead

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 121,000 - 224,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care and wellness plans

401(k) Plan

Education assistance programs

Relocation assistance

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation, a trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, seeks an experienced systems engineer to lead technically challenging solutions with national impact for internal and external customers.

You will own problem statements, design studies, and program plans, coordinate cross‑discipline teams, and serve as the primary customer contact on cost, schedule, and technical performance. A TS/SCI clearance and U.S. citizenship are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a recognized technical discipline.
• Space-related technical experience preferred.
• 8+ years of professional engineering/scientific experience in systems engineering or program management.
• Willingness to travel ~20%.
• Active TS/SCI eligibility and SAP access.
• U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Solution Accelerator leadership to lead technical solutions with national impact.
• Develop clearly scoped Problem Statements by analyzing priorities and root causes.
• Lead conceptual design studies, evaluate solutions, and support rapid prototyping.
• Design, plan, implement, and track programs from inception through completion.
• Independently manage multiple project segments as a systems engineer.
• Serve as primary customer contact on cost, schedule, and technical performance.

Skills

Systems engineering

Project management

Technical leadership

Customer engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in an appropriate technical discipline

Graduate degree in a technical discipline

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.

What You'll Be Doing

• Partner with Solution Accelerator leadership and project teams to lead technical solutions to threat and mission needs with speed and national impact, serving as a technical authority
• Develop clearly scoped Problem Statements by analyzing customer and Aerospace strategic priorities, root cause issues, and hardest problems; research internal and external solution landscapes to identify unique high-value opportunities for Aerospace
• Lead conceptual design studies, evaluate proposed solutions, develop tools and models, and participate in rapid prototyping to support research, development, and programmatic decisions for internal and external customers
• Design, plan, implement, coordinate, and track programs, subsystems, and initiatives from inception through completion, typically owning a specific project element, engineering discipline, or program/system aspect that crosses technical boundaries
• Independently manage multiple project segments or smaller program/project efforts as a systems engineer
• Serve as primary customer contact, interfacing between customers and Aerospace technical/management staff to lead discussions on cost, schedule, and technical performance, and bringing clarity to complex space enterprise challenges
• Lead project proposals, business plans, work statements, specifications, and operating budgets/financial terms
• Lead technical efforts and project teams, direct the work of assigned staff across technical, manufacturing, commercial, and administrative areas, and mentor less experienced staff as a role model within a highly empowered team environment

What You Need to Be Successful

• Bachelor's degree in an appropriate technical discipline from a recognized institution
• Experience working in a space-related technical area (e.g., satellite or instrument fabrication, integration, test, launch, operations; ground-based SOSI; etc.)
• 8 or more years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including experience in a systems engineering and/or program management environment
• Willingness to occasionally travel in support of thought leadership and customer engagement, approximately 20% (as required)
• Active TS/SCI and the ability to obtain SAP accesses, which are issued by the U.S. government.
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

In addition to all qualifications listed above

• Demonstrated ability to independently conduct long-range technical studies and report findings; initiates studies designed to solve new technical problems and provide new technical solutions within area of expertise
• Proven experience providing ongoing technical consultation and advice to management, customers, and contractors in area of specialization
• Demonstrated initiative in informing management of perceived technical problems and recommending courses of action
• Demonstrated ability to bring in tasks and projects beyond personal activities from internal and external sources
• Experience acting as an organization's designated representative at technical meetings, presentations, and symposia

How You Can Stand Out

• Graduate degree in an appropriate technical discipline from a recognized institution
• Demonstrated experience working within multi-disciplinary teams in research, development, and innovation projects
• Experience in space system acquisition and/or the operational use of space systems for civil, commercial, or DoD missions
• Strong multi-disciplinary technical background that demonstrates an ability to integrate diverse technical considerations into problem solving
• Experience working at or with senior levels in government
• Experience supporting budget execution for projects delivering impactful designs/prototypes to multiple internal and external customers

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) $120,800.00 - $223,900.00 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

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

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

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.

Additional Information

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