Space Vehicle Engineer

aero; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 117,300 - 175,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

Flexible spending accounts

Relocation assistance

Education assistance programs

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation, located in Virginia, is seeking a Space Vehicle Engineer. This full-time position involves overseeing the development and integration of space vehicle systems, providing technical leadership and support for a variety of complex challenges related to space operations.

Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience, and must hold a valid security clearance. The role requires active participation and collaboration in high-stakes projects.

Qualifications

• 6 years of responsible professional engineering experience.
• Experience with development, test, and implementation of Space systems.
• This position requires a current TS/SSBI/SCI security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Aerospace technical support for space vehicle systems.
• Support Space Vehicle development and testing.
• Provide technical leadership in hardware development challenges.

Skills

Space Vehicle knowledge

Multi-disciplinary engineering

Systems engineering

Project management

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or STEM

Advanced degree in Engineering

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.

Imagery Programs Division’s (IPD) Proliferated Systems (PS) Office is looking for a Space Vehicle Engineer (Project Engineer/Senior Project Engineer - Multi-Disciplinary Engineering) with Space Vehicle, Payload Systems, Space Systems Assembly, Integration, and Test, and System Verification knowledge and experience to support next‑generation major system acquisitions across multiple phases of the acquisition life cycle. This role will directly support the customer Space Vehicle Division by organizing and leading Aerospace domain expert support of system development from requirements development, design reviews, interface development, assembly, integration, test, and delivery of hardware.

Work Model

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

What You’ll Be Doing

• Coordinate Aerospace technical support for the space vehicle portions of an integrated space and ground system.
• Support Space Vehicle development and test.
• Provide technical leadership to Aerospace domain expert engagement in hardware development and design challenges.
• Collaborate with Aerospace counterparts external to the program office across the Enterprise.
• Participate in non‑conformance, anomaly, and major technical issue response teams during Space Vehicle and Payload‑related customer activities.
• Coordinate Subject Matter Expert support for milestone reviews.
• Provide on‑site Aerospace presence and communicate with the customer, SETA, and contractors.
• Collaborate with SETA and government customer counterparts to meet mission needs.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Project Engineer – Multi‑Disciplinary Engineering

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical/STEM field.
• 6 years of responsible professional engineering experience, including multi‑disciplinary systems engineering and/or program management environments.
• Experience with development, test, and implementation of Space systems.
• Prior engineering leadership or project management experience.
• Willing to support frequent travel (typically once or twice per month).
• This position requires a current and active TS/SSBI/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Additional Senior Project Engineer Requirements

• 12 years of responsible professional engineering experience, including multi‑disciplinary systems engineering and/or program management environments.
• Lead technical support and analysis efforts by employing broad technical experience to leverage personnel resources across the Engineering Technical Group and other program offices.

How You Can Stand Out

• Advanced degree in Engineering or related technical field.
• Experience working Space systems development and for National Security Space customers.
• Technical knowledge of the current threat environment.
• Understanding of and experience working with a matrixed engineering organization.
• Ability to function optimally, efficiently, and collaboratively with limited supervision.
• Strong customer focused demeanor with outstanding skills in coordinating exchanges between technical staff and the customer.

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 - $175,900.00 Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

• 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

• 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 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 needs 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.