Sr. Next Gen OPIR Polar System Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Health care plans

Telework options

401(k) plan

Flexible spending accounts

Education assistance

Professional growth

Inclusive work environment

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, CA seeks a Sr. Next Gen OPIR Polar System Engineer to join the Defense Systems Group. You will lead integration testing for NG OPIR Polar, coordinating across space, ground, and launch segments to ensure interface compatibility.

This role requires deep systems engineering experience and the ability to obtain a Secret clearance. US citizenship is required. Relocation assistance and a comprehensive benefits package are offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical or mechanical engineering.
• 12+ years of system engineering validation experience.
• Deep understanding of OPIR space vehicle systems.
• Knowledge of ground systems and antennas.
• Launch vehicle interfaces knowledge.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Secret clearance; US citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Participate in NG OPIR Polar Enterprise Integration Test team.
• Execute independent assessments and advise USSF.
• Ensure architectural consistency across segments.
• Identify and resolve interface gaps.
• Present system-level status to program management.
• Ensure compatibility between spacecraft, launch vehicle, and ground segment.

Skills

Systems thinking

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Influence without authority

Conflict resolution

Strategic thinking

Travel ready

Education

Bachelor’s 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 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.

The Next Gen OPIR Polar program in the Space Based Sensing Division is actively participating in the building and fielding of next generation OPIR Space Vehicles for Polar (Molniya) orbits. The mission of the Next Gen Polar (NGP) constellation is to deliver end-to-end, resilient missile warning systems in for the northern hemisphere that outpace the threat.

Our primary customer is the U.S. Space Force (USSF), and this position is prime contractor focused with a fast-paced tempo to address challenges head-on. We are looking for a driven, motivated Sr. Next Gen OPIR Polar System Engineer team member to perform technical support in a dynamic team environment.

The selected candidate will be required to work full‑time on‑site at our facility in El Segundo CA and support the Program Office in collaboration with the Prime Contractor facility in Redondo Beach CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Be a key participant and stakeholder in NG OPIR Polar Enterprise Integration Test team which supports the Prime contractor space segment, ground segment and launch segments, with primary focus on the space segment.
• You will execute independent assessments of segment activities and provide guidance to USSF customer.
• Key role and responsibility on the architectural consistency and compatibility across segments.
• Identify and resolve architectural conflicts or gaps between segments.
• Key Interface Control Documents (ICDs) between:
  • Space Ground (telemetry, commanding, tracking)
  • Space Launch (mechanical, electrical, environmental)
  • Ground Launch (pre‑launch operations, countdown procedures)
  • Resolve interface discrepancies and conflicts
• Ensure verification closure across segment boundaries.
• Present system‑level status to program management.
• This role essentially serves as the “glue” that holds the entire mission together, ensuring that when the spacecraft arrives at the launch site, it’s compatible with the launch vehicle, and when it reaches orbit, the ground segment is ready to operate it successfully.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Sr. Project Engineer – Systems Engineering:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or other discipline.
• 12 or more years of proven experience with evaluation of system engineering validation process, understanding of requirement sell‑off process, familiarity with major prime contractors requirements and capabilities.
• Deep understanding of OPIR space vehicle systems.
• Knowledge of ground systems (operations centers, antennas, networks).
• Familiarity with launch vehicle interfaces and environments.
• Systems thinking and ability to see “big picture.”
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Ability to influence without direct authority.Excellent written communication (technical documentation).
• Strong presentation skills for diverse audiences.
• Ability to translate between different technical disciplines.
• Conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
• Strategic thinking.
• Travel approx. 10%.
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Master’s degree or higher in physics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or other discipline.
• Proven history supporting the USSF customer.
• Ability to collaborate across government and contractor teams.
• Record of advising US Government customer at critical decision milestones (technical and/or schedule), including performing risk assessments.
• Current Secret level clearance, addition of SCI preferred.

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.

Pay Range: $151,300.00 – $226,900.00 (Min – Max). 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 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.