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 Aerospace Space Domain Superiority Directorate, in the Special Programs Division, supports a broad array of Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power missions. We cover the entire threat response chain from the Space Domain Awareness functions through the multidomain effects needed for space superiority. These programs include major system acquisitions for multiple ground and space segments, future system architecture definitions, and research and technology development for continuous evolution of space warfighting capabilities. You will be a Senior Project Leader - Systems Engineering - Acquisition and Systems Engineering in the Tactically Responsive Space program office who supports SSC's Space Safari Branch. Our mission is to provide combat commanders with offensive/defensive counterspace capabilities on tactical timelines.
A dedicated Innovation and Prototyping Acquisition Delta leads the way to enable and deliver next-generation space enterprise solutions through rapid, novel, and affordable technology. The solutions encompass the end-to-end system lifecycle from acquisition through operations in the space, ground, and launch domains. You will contribute to a team that leverages the full spectrum of partnerships in developing solutions for the most challenging problems and implementing critical space control capabilities to guarantee space superiority for our nation. This work is focused on delivering space programs within the tightly integrated program office consisting of military, Aerospace, UARC, FFRDC, and SETA personnel. You will have frequent interaction with the government and support contractors. This opportunity will also collaborate with National Security Space mission partners that are building and integrating capabilities. This position allows for the opportunity to see your contributions to a critical mission be realized in a short time.
Work Model
This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA, which requires 100% onsite work.
What You'll Be Doing
- Serve as the integration leader coordinating a team of technical contributors that include senior level technical/project specialists.
- May serve as principal technical representative to customer, coordinating efforts on several smaller projects in concurrent operation or on portions of larger multi-phase/multi-disciplinary project.
- Identify issues, prioritizes tasks, facilitates communications, and act as spokesperson for working groups to customers, management, and stakeholders.
- Scope staffing requirements and initiate acquisition of technical support from appropriate corporate resources including cost and economic or market analysis specialists, as appropriate.
- Monitor and assist in development of budgets and other resource allocations to accomplish tasks and may be given additional administrative coordination and management liaison responsibilities.
- Act as senior mentor to team members, providing orientation, technical guidance, and development insight.
- Participate in new business and technical planning efforts.
What You Need to be Successful - Senior Project Leader-Systems Engineering - Acquisition and Systems Engineering
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, or related technical subject area.
- 12 or more years of systems engineering experience with focus on space systems development and satellite acquisition.
- Current Top Secret/SCI clearance, which is issued by the US government. US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
- Experience building and maintaining effective teams and developing good working interpersonal relationships with customers, multiple government partners, and contractors.
- Experience in systems engineering and satellite acquisition, including development of acquisition documents (RFP, SOW, TRD).
- Experience in spacecraft development (design, build, integration, and testing).
- Strong knowledge of satellite subsystems, including EO/IR payloads, communication, GNC, power, thermal, propulsion, and structures.
- Experience with launch systems, including mission planning, payload integration, and launch operations.
- Experience with ground systems at the data/software/hardware levels.
- Capability to identify and mitigate risks.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills - clear, concise, and professional.
- Ability to travel moderately.
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
- Master's or PhD degree in engineering, mathematics, or related technical subject area.
- Proven organizational and project leadership skills with the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.
- Knowledge and experience in federal acquisition rules and policies.
- Experience in agile acquisition of space systems (e.g., bus, components, software).
- Experience in space operations including launch and early operations, nominal operations, mission operations, end of life operations.
- Exhibit exceptionally high level of innovation, creativity, and initiative.
- Dedication and commitment to mission.
- Experience in the space control mission area.
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)
$155,900 - $233,900
Pay Basis: Annual
Leadership Competencies
Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:
- 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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.
Top Skills
What the Team is Saying
What We Do
The space enterprise has been transformed by rapid change and growth. New vehicles for national security space, a more rapid launch cadence, proliferated satellite constellations, the pursuit of interplanetary exploration, and thriving commercial ventures are changing the nature of the space industry. The Aerospace Corporation (Aerospace) is a leading architect for U.S. space programs, shaping efforts to outpace threats to our national security while cultivating the technologies needed to further this new era of space commercialization and exploration.
Aerospace works across the space enterprise in service of the public interest. In addition to supporting the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community, our customers include NASA, NOAA, numerous federal agencies, and commercial space — all of whom benefit from our deep technical knowledge. We only pursue business related to the space mission and complementary fields, operating as the nation’s trusted partner to solve the toughest challenges and develop reliable and innovative technologies.
Innovation in space occurs when people have the freedom to imagine and do. At Aerospace, we take pride in our readiness to solve some of the most complex challenges in the space enterprise.
Why Work With Us
We are a non-profit corporation chartered by the government to work on the hardest problems in space. We employ technical experts in every discipline of space-related science and engineering who touch every part of the US space program. Come join us as we make an impact bigger than ourselves.
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The Aerospace Corporation Teams
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Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
