Space Systems Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation; Chantilly (VA); Hybrid; USD 117,000 - 227,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

Telework options

401(k) plan

Education assistance

Relocation assistance

Paid holidays

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in Chantilly, VA is seeking a Project Engineer – Systems Engineering – Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering to lead multi-disciplinary space systems efforts. You will act as technical authority, coordinate across the Aerospace enterprise, and guide major program segments from architecture to design.

Requirements include a bachelor’s or higher in STEM, an active TS/SCI clearance, US citizenship, and 8+ years in systems engineering and 12+ years leading

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in a physical science, engineering, or STEM field.
• Current TS/SCI clearance with polygraph; US citizenship required.
• 8+ years in systems engineering and/or systems architecture.
• Ability to lead dispersed teams and conduct long-term/urgent studies.
• Willingness to travel domestically ~10%.
• 12+ years leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical authority and integration leader for multi-phase space systems engineering.
• Promote collaboration to ensure optimal integration of technical solutions.
• Lead program segments such as system-level architectural analysis and conceptual design.
• Create mission-focused tasks for Aerospace matrix; coordinate with Sponsor.
• Elicit requirements based on Sponsor objectives; coordinate with IC partners and contractors.
• Advise stakeholders with insights on risks, issues, and mitigation strategies.

Skills

Systems engineering

Project management

Leadership

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in STEM

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 adviser 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.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Serve as a technical authority and integration leader for multi-phase, multi-disciplinary space systems engineering efforts
• Promote collaboration across the Aerospace enterprise to ensure optimal integration of technical solutions
• Lead major program segments such as system-level architectural analysis, conceptual design of a new vehicle or major payload
• Create mission focused tasks for the Aerospace technical matrix, advocate for them with the Sponsor, and identify and manage the support
• Elicit requirements for space-related solutions based on broad Sponsor mission objectives
• Support the sponsor’s coordination among Intelligence Community partners, associated contractors, and development contractors
• Advise key stakeholders, including senior customer leadership and program management by providing insight into technical risks, issues, opportunities, and risk mitigation strategies

What You Need to be Successful Minimum Requirements for Project Engineer – Systems Engineering – Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited program in a physical science, engineering, or relevant STEM field
• Current and active TS/SCI security clearance and polygraph, issued by the US government
• U.S. citizenship required to obtain a security clearance
• 8 or more years of relevant industry work experience in systems engineering and/or systems architecture
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and conduct both long-term and urgent technical studies (cost, schedule, performance), with geographically dispersed teams
• Willing to travel domestically, approximately 10%
• 12+ years of relevant experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams addressing difficult technical problems
• At least four (4) years of developing solutions for Sponsor programs
• Ability to assemble multi-disciplinary teams and to scope work addressing ambiguous issues under time pressure
• Demonstrated ability to convey complex technical topics both orally and in writing, adapting communication style for varied audiences, and ensuring clear understanding among technical and non-technical stakeholders

How You Can Stand Out It would be impressive if you have one or more of these

• Advanced degree from an accredited program in a physical science, engineering, or relevant STEM field
• Demonstrated experience with a focus on spacecraft or ground segment design-through-disposal, collaborating with multiple space-related technical disciplines, particularly in delivering resilient space mission solutions
• Demonstrated history of successful collaboration with internal matrix support organizations, Sponsors, external mission partners, and with associated contractors
• Hands‑on experience developing mission-enabling, technology-driven solutions for the Sponsor
• A history of identifying capability gaps and formulating enterprise-level technical trade studies and investment strategies

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) $117,300.00 - $226,900.00 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

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

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.

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.

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