Sr. Space Domain Awareness Space Systems Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

401(k) Plan with company-paid benefits

Professional growth and development programs

Job summary

Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo is hiring a Sr. Space Domain Awareness Space Systems Engineer to lead engineering for a dynamic space program. You will work closely with customers to overcome complex acquisition challenges while supporting national security missions.

The ideal candidate will have over 12 years of experience, a relevant degree, and a strong background in space systems. Competitive compensation and a supportive work environment are offered.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in National Security Space systems.
• Experience with hardware acquisition and lifecycle activities.
• Current Top Secret/SCI security clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for complex space programs.
• Assess design and test activities ensuring compliance.
• Coordinate cross-organizational teams for issue resolution.

Skills

Technical leadership

Engineering coordination

Strong communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in physical science, engineering, or relevant STEM field

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, developmental planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape future space missions across the national security space enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including Air Force Space Command, U.S. Strategic Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers but also horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation.

Sr. Space Domain Awareness Space Systems Engineer will work closely with the customer and colleagues to effectively lead matrixed engineering in support of a dynamic and fast‑paced space program at the cutting edge of the Acquisition Transformation Strategy. Working within Space Systems Command’s Space‑Based Surveillance & Reconnaissance Branch, you will be expected to drive innovation, demonstrate agility, and provide technical leadership to overcome complex acquisition challenges, all while laying the foundation for the program’s long‑term success.

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

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide technical leadership and coordination throughout all phases of a complex space program, from acquisition and design to launch, initialization and operations
• Assess design, build, and test activities for payload and bus hardware, ensuring technical rigor and compliance with mission objectives
• Develop and assess mission CONOPS, requirements, and test programs with a focus on mission integration, mission assurance, and product quality
• Coordinate cross‑organizational teams of Aerospace Engineering Technology Group (ETG) Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to provide customers with technical reach‑back for issue resolution and independent assessments of technical performance
• Work in a fast‑paced environment with many interesting technical challenges that require strategy, critical thinking, and collaboration

What You Need to be Successful

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited program in physical science, engineering, or a relevant STEM field.
• 12 or more years of experience in relevant engineering/technical/operational aspects of National Security Space systems.
• Experience supporting hardware acquisition and lifecycle activities, including design, build, integration, and test.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills for interactions at all levels of corporate and government leadership.
• Proven experience taking initiative and delivering on commitments.
• Willing to travel domestically approximately 10%.
• Current Top Secret/SCI security clearance with the ability to obtain additional clearances, which are issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

• Proven experience successfully interacting with or working in a program office environment, such as a mixed working environment of customers, SETA, and FFRDC.
• Experience leading or coordinating multi‑disciplinary engineering teams in support of complex space system programs.
• Experience with the space domain awareness mission area.
• Demonstrated experience with electro‑optical systems, space systems in geosynchronous orbit, dynamic space operations and/or space control.
• Understanding of systems engineering processes used in government space acquisition, such as requirement development and verification.
• Experience with mission‑level analysis and architecting activities.
• A consistently positive attitude, the ability to remain calm under pressure, and skill in communicating honestly and constructively.
• A successful track record of thriving in high‑pressure environments with constantly evolving priorities.

Compensation

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

Ways We Reward Our Employees

• 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.