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.

At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.

Long Duration Propulsive ESPA (LDPE) engineering lead for LDPE-3A mission and develop technical requirements and support acquisition efforts for the follow on to the LDPE program dubbed “Rapid On-Orbit Space Technology Evaluation Ring (ROOSTER).” Developmental Prototypes and Projects (DPP) supports the United States Space Force’s (USSF) Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) / Development Corps Innovation and Prototyping Directorate, Rapid Development Division (DCIR).

What You'll Be Doing

• The LDPE-3A engineering lead is expected to lead and organize Aerospace support including program office and Engineering Technology Group (ETG) on everything from space vehicle build, test, delivery, integration and test of numerous payloads provided by vendors and government stakeholders, and advise on launch and early operations of the mission. LDPE-3A has a rapid build, integrate, test and launch schedule with launch forecasted via USSF-67 mission on a Falcon Heavy ~Nov 2022.
• While tackling the challenging LDPE-3A mission, this engineer will also be simultaneously organizing all required elements to ensure a successfully award, design, build, test and launch of SMC/DCIR’s follow on to LDPE...ROOSTER. Activities on ROOSTER could include crafting requirements documents, technical analysis during source selection, developing design review entry, exit criteria, as well as development of Do No Harm requirements.
• The lead mission engineer will be responsible for system integration, interfaces with payloads, ground infrastructure and associated sponsoring customers and primes integration with the primary mission.
• This lead engineer will often be required to investigate urgent technical problems and assemble a major briefing or report to Sr. Aerospace General Managers and Space Force Field Grade and General Officers.
• As Aerospace representative in customer or contractor's environment, provides nondirective advice, accepts action items, and may coordinate pertinent budgets, tasks, and priorities. In systems engineering assignments, generally leads/coordinates team comprised of diversely skilled engineers servicing a major portion of a large project or working across projects, and interfaces regularly with customer and contractor program management

Key technical duties include:

• Support systems engineering, integration, and test for the LDPE/ROOSTER core space vehicle
• Ensure compatibility between each payload and the LDPE/ROOSTER core space vehicle
• Do no harm analysis for all payloads
• Coordination with Ground Operations and Mission Design for mission planning and utility
• Continual improvement of prototyping and integration efforts
• Develop/improve classified processing capability to perform analytic assessments

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• A master’s degree in engineering or science, 10 plus years of relevant progressive work experience in systems architecture, systems integration and/or systems engineering
• High interest, enthusiasm, and motivation in addressing future national space security challenges
• Self-starter, willing to work in fast pace environment, with evolving focus areas
• Ability to build and/or maintain substantive rapport with Aerospace peers and government customers
• Broad familiarity with Space Force organizations, missions, architectures and systems
• Demonstrated ability to make high tech understandable, & influence outcomes utilizing objective facts
• Demonstrated ability to lead and work in a team environment
• Excellent written communication skills - can organize complex materials and concepts in a manner that is clear and logical
• Excellent verbal communication skills - clear, concise, persuasive; builds consensus through speaking; polished, professional style
• 8 plus years of progressive experience space acquisitions and system integration
• Some travel is required
• Current TS/SCI and ability to obtain SAP clearances

How You Can Stand Out

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

• 12 or more years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including multi-disciplinary systems engineering and/or program management environments
• An excellent personal technical reputation and a record of personal technical achievement in Development Planning, Architecting, or Demonstration and Validation
• Experience with rapid prototyping and operational fielding
• The ability to work independently
• Ability to organize and execute high quality, substantive events including technical forums, major studies and executive presentations
• Technical depth in multiple subsystems
• Familiarity with Aerospace Federal Government and Civil/Commercial customers
• Experience with mission architectures and implementation
• Experience with a broad range of AF missions and architecture
• Ability to organize and execute high quality, substantive events including technical forums, major studies and executive presentations
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with high-level customer representatives
• Experience with mentoring
• Experience with risk management
• Experience with satellite integration and test

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 diverse 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.