The Aerospace Corporation · Buckley SFB, CO

Sr. OPIR Ground Platform Engineer at The Aerospace Corporation — Buckley SFB, CO

Full-timeBuckley SFB, CO$171,400–$257,100/yearPosted 2026-07-09Apply on Workday
Apply at The Aerospace Corporation Let Jobeezy apply

Full job description

We are looking for a Sr. OPIR Ground Platform Engineer to join our Colorado-based Space-Based Sensing Division team supporting SSC FORGE acquisition efforts. The Missile Warning and Tracking Ground, Exploitation, and Operations Subdivision (MWT GEOSD) provides technical and programmatic support across the heritage and future Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) missile warning and tracking ground systems engineering, development, integration, and sustainment activities. The Platform Engineer for MWT GEOSD will serve as the provide infrastructure subject matter expert to the GEOSD Systems Director for Operations and GEOSD Chief Engineer within the USSF SSC Strategic Missile Warning Ground and Integration Acquisition Delta. This position will provide technical and programmatic leadership in defining, acquiring, and operationalizing cyber secure Next-Generation OPIR ground capabilities that implement state-of-the-art industry solutions, including commercial cloud, to drive the DoW OPIR enterprise forward as a cohesive whole.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility at Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, CO.

What You’ll Be Doing

  • Serve as the leader of a team of multi-agency, multi-discipline technical and programmatic leaders and contributors across missile warning ground system development efforts
  • Support GEOSD Chief Engineer in on-site design, architecture, and change control for all FORGE-based, SSC-owned systems being fielded, operationally accepted, and operationally used in the SBIRS MCS.
  • Support delivery of next-generation OPIR prototype and development capabilities to operational usage, including new ground systems and incremental capability upgrades.
  • Incorporate best-in-breed industry solutions, with heavy emphasis on cloud-native concepts, designs, architectures, and solutions, into the OPIR MWT architecture.
  • Implement cloud platform solutions designed for specific OPIR MWT mission sets.
  • Drive cyber resilience into all layers of the ground system solution.
  • Implement the overall “cyber secure by default” approach to development, integration, fielding, and operations, based on cybersecurity engineering principles and the cybersecurity confidentiality-integrity-availability engineering triad.
  • Support influencing key Government and contractor stakeholders to move forward with proposed next-generation networking capabilities.
  • Evaluate and recommend changes to enhance the long-term sustainment and viability of the proposed implementations.
  • Mentor less-experienced personnel and serve as role model to help implement a talent pipeline for junior staff to become MWT mission area experts.
  • Exemplify Aerospace corporate values of objectivity and integrity while serving as a trusted agent to our government customers.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Sr. Project Leader – Cyber Security & Cloud Computing Architecture:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, or closely related technical field
  • 12 or more years of progressively demonstrated platform engineering experience, including leading multi-disciplinary system engineering teams in a program oversight environment.
  • Strong background in leading teams in ground systems, software development and cloud engineering
  • Experience with National Security Space (NSS) ground system architectures development, test, and operationalization.
  • Experience driving and bringing inherently cyber secure solutions to operational use.
  • Experience establishing and maintaining trusted relationships with government customers, prime and support contractors, and key stakeholders under minimal supervision.
  • This position requires a current and active Top Secret/SCI clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required.

How You Can Stand Out

  • Advanced STEM degree
  • Experience managing OPIR missile warning system infrastructure, including ancillary systems
  • Experience with on-premises cloud deployment, migration and/or operations
  • Experience working through cybersecurity accreditation in Space Force or DoD programs
  • Understanding of current DoD acquisition practices

(Min - Max)

$171,400.00 - $257,100.00

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

  • Operate Strategically
  • Lead Change
  • Engage with Impact
  • Foster Innovation
  • Deliver Results

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