Space-Based Interceptor Test Integration and Operations Engineering Lead

The Aerospace Corporation; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 121,000 - 234,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care and wellness plans

Paid holidays and vacation

401(k) plan with company match

Education assistance programs

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation seeks a Space-Based Interceptor Test Integration and Operations Engineering Lead to advance SBI program capabilities in Huntsville, AL. You will guide end-to-end integration across space, ground, and user segments, coordinating with spacecraft, software, and operations teams to ensure mission success.

Requirements include a Bachelor’s in a technical field and 8 years in T&E with space systems, plus DoD process familiarity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or related technical field.
• 8 years of experience in Test and Evaluation (T&E) and verification of space-to-ground/ground-to-user interfaces.
• Familiarity with DoDI 5000 series, TEMP, SEMP, and related DoD processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end systems integration and test activities across space, ground, and user segments for satellite systems.
• Develop and execute test plans, verification procedures, and validation approaches for critical interfaces.
• Manage requirements verification and traceability from concept to operational transition.
• Flow down system requirements and maintain ICDs across development lifecycles.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure seamless end-to-end integration and mission success.
• Execute developmental and operational test campaigns and analyze results.

Skills

Systems engineering

Test planning

DoD processes

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/physics/computer science

Tools

Test management software

Simulations

CI/CD tools

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 Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise.

DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Material Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers’ portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems. The Golden Dome missile defense system aims to counter the threat of ballistic, hypersonic, and other advanced threats from peer and near-peer adversaries as directed within the presidential executive order. Within the Golden Dome architecture, the Space-Based Interceptor (SBI) Program Office seeks to develop and deploy a proliferated constellation of space-based interceptors capable of boost-phase engagement of adversary missiles. The SBI interceptors will employ a Fire Control capability that is integrated with the overall Golden Dome missile defense system.

We are looking for a Space-Based Interceptor Test Integration and Operations Engineering Lead to directly support the SBI Program Office to advise to the development of this novel missile defense capability. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Huntsville, AL.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead end-to-end systems integration and test activities across space, ground, and user segments for satellite communication systems.
• Develop and execute comprehensive test plans, verification procedures, and validation approaches for mission-critical interfaces including space-to-ground, ground-to-user, and space-to-user architectures.
• Manage requirements verification and traceability from mission concept through operational transition.
• Flow down system requirements, maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and ensure verification coverage using engineering models, simulations, testbeds, and special test equipment throughout the development lifecycle.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary integration efforts by developing System Integration Plans (SIPs), System Test and Integration Plans (STIPs), and supporting Systems Engineering Plans (SEPs).
• Collaborate with spacecraft systems, flight software, ground software, and operations teams to ensure seamless end-to-end integration and mission success.
• Execute developmental and operational test campaigns including developmental testing (DT), operational testing (OT), and integrated test events.
• Analyze test results, identify anomalies, document findings, and provide technical recommendations to program leadership and government customers to support critical decision-making.
• Support modern development and deployment practices by implementing Agile and DevSecOps methodologies for space-to-ground system integration.
• Contribute to CI/CD pipeline development, automated testing frameworks, and cloud-based architecture integration in AWS, Azure, or GCP environments.
• Provide technical risk management and mission assurance support by identifying integration risks, developing mitigation strategies, conducting trade studies, and performing technical analysis to ensure systems meet mission objectives, performance requirements, and security standards.

What You Need to be Successful

• Minimum Requirements for Project Leader – Acquisition and Operations Systems Engineering: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or related technical field.
• 8 years of experience in Test and Evaluation (T&E), verification of space-to-ground or ground-to-user segment interface requirements including systems engineering, and/or operations of space systems, satellites, and/or ground systems infrastructure within the U.S. government agencies and/or aerospace industry.
• Working knowledge of Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) Test and Evaluation processes and documentation, including familiarity with DoDI 5000 series acquisition policies, Developmental Tests (DT), Operational Tests (OT), integrated test strategies, Test and Evaluation Master Plans (TEMP), Systems Engineering Management Plans (SEMP) development and execution.
• Experience with test planning, execution, and analysis using test management software, simulation environments, statistical tools, and technical reporting for U.S. government agency evaluation and decision processes.
• Experience with assisting and leading multiple cross-functional technical teams, multiple concurrent tasks, and communicate technical information clearly and persuasively.
• Direct experience with space systems (satellite development, ground station operations, mission operations, or space system integration).
• Understanding of space and/or ground system architecture and satellite operations including orbital mechanics, satellite subsystems (e.g., spacecraft bus, payload), ground system functions (command and control, telemetry and mission data processing, and space-to-ground (or ground-to-user) data links and Demonstrated ability to successfully work in a team environment with strong communication skills.
• This position requires a Top Secret/SCI clearance, issued by the US government.
• US citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

• Advanced degrees (Master’s or Ph.D.) in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or related technical field.
• Mission testing and integration knowledge and experience for specific U.S. Space Force (USSF), Intelligence Community (IC), or commercial customers (e.g., system requirements, system (and/or system of systems) integration and testing, spacecraft subsystems, manufacturing, test, and/or spacecraft/ground operations).
• Have demonstrated ability to take a system-level perspective and flow down salient aspects of system behavior into requirements and assess requirements verification evidence/counter evidence into system level effect analysis.
• Knowledge of cloud/virtual architecture and agile testing methodologies for software integration and test.
• Ability to travel domestically 25% of the time (potentially OCONUS) for test events, program reviews, and customer meetings, as needed.
• Active TS/SCI clearance

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 - $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

Benefits

• 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

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.