Sr. Ground Systems Engineer

aero; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 151,300 - 226,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health care

401(k) Plan with company match

Education assistance programs

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Aerospace Corporation, located in El Segundo, CA, is seeking a Sr. Ground Systems Engineer to support missile warning systems. The role involves acquisition, design, and integration of resilient ground architecture initiatives critical to national security.

The ideal candidate will have 12 years of experience, a background in ground systems operations, and the ability to navigate DoD acquisition processes. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 12 or more years of responsible professional engineering experience.
• Proven ability to establish relationships with military and technical teams.
• Strong knowledge of ground systems operations and lifecycle management.

Responsibilities

• Support the acquisition and implementation of resilient ground architecture initiatives.
• Develop strategic roadmaps for ground system evolution and modernization.
• Ensure compliance with DoD standards and cybersecurity requirements.

Skills

Ground systems architecture

Systems integration

DoD acquisition processes

Excellent communication

Collaboration skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, or related field

Tools

Modern software development 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 Materiel 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.

We are seeking a Sr. Ground Systems Engineer (Sr. Project Engineer - Systems Engineering-Acquisition and Systems Engineering) to support the development and implementation of Resilient Ground Architecture (RGA) initiatives supporting SSC’s Strategic Missile Warning (MW) Ground Infrastructure (SSC/SYD 84/MGI). The ideal candidate will bring strong technical expertise in ground systems engineering, integration, and DoD acquisition processes to support mission‑critical space operations infrastructure.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on‑site at our facility in El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Support the acquisition, design, and implementation of the resilient ground architecture initiatives supporting the Space Based Sensing Missile Warning and Missile Track (MWMT) missions
• Develop and execute strategic roadmaps for ground system evolution, modernization, and resiliency
• Support DoD acquisition activities, including requirements development, technical reviews, and program milestone preparation
• Identify critical ground system development and integration decision points and milestones/events to ensure the successful acquisition of ground architecture capabilities from development to operations
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including system specifications, interface control documents, and test plans
• Participate in program status assessments and conduct independent risk assessments that inform government and Aerospace management of technical issues and recommended courses of action
• Represent Aerospace in program meetings and technical forums such as design reviews, technology demos/studies, technical interchanges, and program management reviews
• Ensure compliance with DoD standards, policies, and cybersecurity requirements
• Support system integration, testing, and validation activities
• Interface with government customers, mission stakeholders, and executive leadership

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Sr. Project Engineer - Systems Engineering-Acquisition and Systems Engineering:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Science, or related technical field
• 12 or more years of responsible professional engineering experience, including multi-disciplinary systems engineering and/or ground systems
• Strong knowledge of ground systems architecture, design, and operations
• Experience with development, test, and fielding of ground systems
• Experience with modern software development processes
• Experience with system integration and interface management
• Working knowledge of DoD acquisition processes and lifecycle management
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment
• Proven ability to establish and maintain excellent working relationships with military, technical, and contractor teams
• Ability to support periodic travel (approx. 1 per month)
• Active Secret clearance; TS/SCI preferred (or ability to obtain one). US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

• Knowledge or experience with Space Based Sensing mission area(s)
• Experience with antenna systems, RF communications, and signal processing
• Knowledge of cloud architectures and cloud‑based ground system solutions (AWS, Azure, or similar)
• Familiarity with enterprise ground systems concepts and initiatives
• Experience with DevSecOps, containerization, and modern software development practices
• Understanding of space operations and satellite command and control systems
• Experience with Agile development methodologies

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)

$151,300.00 - $226,900.00 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.

• 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 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.