Space Systems Engineer/Sr.Space Systems Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health care & wellness

Paid holidays & vacation

401(k) plan with company match

Relocation assistance

Education assistance programs

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in Chantilly, VA is seeking an Engineering Specialist/Senior Engineering Specialist to support the acquisition of next‑gen space vehicle systems for US Space Force, IC, NASA, NOAA, and commercial clients. Position requires on‑site work at our Chantilly facility.

You will lead multidisciplinary engineering teams, deliver space systems engineering products, and mentor junior staff, with a strong emphasis on independence, initiative, and strategic insight.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited program in an engineering or science discipline
• More than 8 years of relevant experience in space systems engineering
• Advanced knowledge in spacecraft subsystems and systems engineering
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams
• Ability to work independently and conduct long-range technical studies
• Willingness to travel domestically on occasion
• Current or active TS/SSBI security clearance

Responsibilities

• Providing space vehicle systems engineering support for customer programs, focusing on the intelligence community
• Leading and participating in studies with multidisciplinary teams
• Evaluating feasibility of space system designs during milestone reviews
• Delivering products requiring space systems engineering expertise
• Working with government, program office, and contractor personnel
• Establishing high-performing teams within Aerospace’s engineering group
• Mentoring junior members of the department

Skills

Space systems engineering

Team leadership

Mentoring

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or science

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 Systems Engineering Division (SED) offers unparalleled expertise in systems engineering to the U.S. government and various public and private agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, consortia, and commercial companies involved in the advanced development and application of space systems. From systems CONOPs and architecture development to system design and analysis, mission assurance, cost and schedule assessment, and economic market analysis, SED leverages a vast array of engineering and business disciplines across a diverse and dynamic portfolio of space programs and national challenges spanning the total space system lifecycle. The Space Systems Implementation Department in SED provides development, assessment, and closure of space vehicle systems. As an Engineering Specialist or Senior Engineering Specialist of this department, you will be supporting the acquisition of the next generation of innovative space vehicle systems to solve the most challenging problems of our US Space Force, Intelligence Community, NASA, NOAA, and commercial/international customers. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Chantilly, VA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing space vehicle systems engineering support for customer programs, with a focus on the intelligence community
• Leading and participating in studies, to include multi-disciplinary engineering teams, to assess breadth of space system designs for accuracy and completeness
• Evaluating the feasibility of space system designs during key milestone reviews such as Preliminary Design Review, Critical Design Review, etc.
• Delivering products requiring space systems engineering expertise
• Working proactively and autonomously with government, program office, and contractor personnel as well as other members of Aerospace’s engineering group
• Establishing high-performing teams with government, program office, and contractor personnel as well as other members of Aerospace’s engineering group
• Mentoring junior members of the department

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Engineering Specialist

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in a relevant engineering or science discipline
• More than 8 years of relevant experience in space systems engineering
• Advanced knowledge and/or relevant experience in spacecraft subsystems, systems engineering topics, and spacecraft design
• Experience in leading, developing, and working on multi-disciplinary engineering teams
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and conduct long-range technical studies
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment, adapt quickly to change, and demonstrate initiative under pressure
• Ability to travel domestically, on an occasional basis
• Current or active TS/SSBI

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Senior Engineering Specialist include:

• More than 12 years of relevant experience in space systems engineering
• Exceptional knowledge and/or relevant experience in spacecraft subsystems, systems engineering topics, and spacecraft design
• Subject matter expertise in spacecraft-level systems engineering to support execution of customer programs
• Proven ability to lead the development of systems engineering processes and initiate capabilities development activities

How You Can Stand Out

• Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) from an accredited program in engineering or relevant engineering discipline
• Superior knowledge of spacecraft subsystems and system engineering topics
• Experience with flight programs across defense and commercial sectors
• Demonstrated experience engaging with government and contractor counterparts
• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across all organizational levels

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. 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.

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