Senior Project Leader, Space-Ground Systems Engineer

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 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.

As a Senior Project Leader- Space-Ground Systems Engineer (Sr. Project Leader - Systems Engineering-Acquisition and Systems Engineering) in the Space Based Sensing Division supporting SSC, you will lead Aerospace’s support to the Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution ground system acquisition programs.

The FORGE ground systems will support Next Generation overhead persistent infrared (OPIR) GEO (Next Gen GEO) and Polar (Next Gen Polar) missile warning & tracking.

This will include supporting the SSC customer in ground systems acquisition, design, development, integration, and test.

You will work closely with senior USSF customers, Aerospace staff and management, and subject matter experts to identify and address mission needs and follow through on opportunities to maintain cost, performance, and schedule.

Work Model

This position is on-site at contractor facility a minimum of 3 days per week.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide USG / Space Force with system integration (space-ground) expertise for the Next Generation OPIR Program’s Ground System
• Apply disciplined system integration methods, processes, and tools to identify, assess and enable the resolution of technical discrepancies
• Participate in program status assessments and independent risk assessments that inform Government and Aerospace management of problems and perceived technical problems and recommend courses of action (COA development)
• Contribute to the Government’s oversight and insight for contractor system integration strategies and detailed planning for their system functional and performance testing for the ground, space, and combined ground-space capabilities
• Define critical system integration decision points and milestones / events to ensure the successful transitioning of system capabilities from development to operations
• Represent Aerospace in program meetings and technical forums such as design reviews, technical interchanges, and program management reviews
• Support Space-Ground interface development, test, requirement verification and Enterprise sell-off
• Provide technical leadership to Aerospace domain expert engagement in Enterprise sell-off activities
• Collaborate with Aerospace counterparts internal and external to the Space Based Sensing Division program office
• Coordinate Aerospace team support of customer activities
• Lead non-conformance, anomaly, and major technical issue response teams during Space-Ground and Enterprise-related customer activities
• Coordinate space-ground support for milestone reviews
• Provide on-site Aerospace presence and communicating with the customer, SETA, and contractors
• Collaborate with SETA and government customer counterparts to meet mission needs

What You Need to be Successful - Sr. Project Leader - Systems Engineering-Acquisition and Systems Engineering

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Science or a related technical field
• Twelve or more years of responsible professional engineering experience, including multi-disciplinary systems engineering and / or program management environments
• Experience with development, test, and implementation of space-ground systems
• Prior engineering leadership or project management experience
• This position requires an active secret clearance with ability to obtain Top Secret / SCI, which is issued by the US government.

US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Ability to support periodic travel (typically 1 trip per month)

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced STEM degree
• Strong, hands-on working knowledge of ground system architectures
• Technical knowledge of the current threat environment
• Understanding of and experience working with a matrixed engineering organization.
• Ability to function optimally, efficiently, and collaboratively with limited supervision
• Strong customer focused demeanor with outstanding skills in coordinating exchanges between technical staff and the customer.
• Proven Aerospace backplane / ETG experience
• Active TS / SCI

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 - $210,900Pay 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.