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. 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 United States Space Force, United States Space 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. Aerospace support for the Space Development Agency (SDA) resides within the Agile Acquisition Division of the Defense Architectures and Integration office of the Defense Systems Group, which provides decision support at the enterprise level to senior Aerospace customers across the DoD, as well as helping to connect and align customers and Aerospace across the space enterprise. This Lead Systems Engineer (Tranche 2) (Senior Project Engineer -Systems Engineering-Acquisition and Systems Engineering) position supports systems engineering and integration activities in SDA’s Tranche-2 acquisition program, including interfaces with each of the SDA Functional Cells supporting the entire Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), which includes Launch support and Ground systems associated with Tranche-2. The selected candidate will provide expertise in spacecraft acquisition and development, integration and systems engineering, performance evaluation, acquisition oversight, on-orbit checkout, and operations of the PWSA. Work Model This position will be a hybrid work model and offer partially remote with some onsite work required in in Chantilly, VA, El Segundo, CA, Colorado Springs, CO, or Huntsville, AL as the business needs allow. What You'll Be Doing The selected candidate will support the Tranche-2 Program Director and the Chief Engineer. Provide systems engineering and integration support to the Tranche-2 team, helping to ensure SDA’s success with development, test, and operations of the PWSA. Support will include requirements review, leading Aerospace Independent Review Teams (IRTs), participating in spacecraft design reviews, leading ETG teams in resolving spacecraft hardware and software issues, supporting regular contractor program management reviews, participating in spacecraft test document development and execution, planning space-to-ground network operations, and reviewing programmatic schedules and activities for technical compliance. Help to ensure SDA’s mission success. Tranche-2 includes Transport (communications) satellites and Tracking (missile tracking) satellites, as well as Ground development and Launch segments, as part of the PWSA. Interact daily with SDA senior leaders, FFRDCs, UARCs, and SETA personnel across all the program Cells and divisions in the acquisition and employment of these spacecraft. Lead various ETG reachback teams for ad hoc technical activities in support of Tranche-2 spacecraft and integration across the PWSA. Support the Tranche-2 team by providing spacecraft systems and subsystems engineering and integration expertise to guide contract execution, performance assessments, and operations planning. Participate in technical design reviews, review technical documentation (provide feedback on program documents (e.g. CONOPS, ICD’s, test plans, etc.)), and lead Aerospace Independent Review Teams (IRT). Employ strategic planning principles across the Tranches to enable the results of satellite development activities to support the planned launch dates and completion of on-orbit check-out phases, leading to full mission operations. Apply lessons learned and commercial best practices and systems engineering principles to rapidly develop, launch, and test the PWSA Tranches. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed. What You Need to be Successful - Senior Project Engineer -Systems Engineering-Acquisition and Systems Engineering Minimum Requirements: A Bachelor of Science degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics field 12 or more years of increasingly responsible and related engineering/scientific experience in satellite and/or satellite subsystem acquisition and development, integration, test, and performance and risk assessment Multidisciplinary experience including spacecraft and subsystem design and definition, as well as space-to-ground communications interfaces, is required Knowledge of DoD, IC, Civil, and Commercial missions and technologies is required Knowledge of acquisition processes and a willingness to adjust them to best support SDA’s 2-year cycle acquisition efforts Ability to lead, work, and communicate effectively as part of a team in a very fast-paced, dynamic environment, reacting quickly and providing products of consistently high quality High interest, enthusiasm, and motivation in addressing future national security space challenges Ability to build and/or maintain substantive rapport with Aerospace peers (ETG Matrix and Program Office), SETA personnel, and government customers (to include senior government leaders) Demonstrated ability to influence outcomes utilizing objective facts Excellent verbal communication skills are required - clear, concise, and persuasive – including the ability to build consensus through speaking in a polished, professional style Experience in systems engineering, risk assessment, and trade space exploration studies Experience directly interfacing with customers and delivering comprehensive assessment products Willing to travel domestically approximately 10% of the time This position requires a current TS/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the US 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: A Masters or PhD degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics field 15 or more years of experience in space and spacecraft systems acquisition, development, and risk assessment Experience working with SDA and a working knowledge of the SDA architecture, functional Cells, and leadership interactions. 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) $123,000 - $202,000 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 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. Equal Opportunity Commitment The Aerospace Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. 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 ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement. Right Place The Aerospace Corporation has over 26 locations nationwide, which allows us to build a diverse and inclusive workforce that will nurture the best ideas, and generate the most novel innovations and solutions to our nation’s toughest space enterprise challenges. Right Path Aerospace covers all stages of the space lifecycle, from concept to operations. We believe our people are our most valuable resource and that’s why we propel our employees forward in their careers through ongoing education, training, and professional development. Right Purpose We can all serve a mission much greater than ourselves, and at Aerospace that is exactly what we do. By hiring the industry’s most preeminent scientists and engineers, Aerospace advances emerging technologies that protect some of the most critical missions on Earth and above it. Return to the Aerospace Careers site. Aerospace employees working in organizations with technical responsibilities are required to obtain a Security Clearance. U.S. citizenship is required for those positions.