The Aerospace Corporation · Colorado Springs, CO

Sr. Space Domain Awareness Force Design Project Engineer at The Aerospace Corporation — Colorado Springs, CO

Full-timeColorado Springs, CO$151,300–$226,900/yearPosted 2026-06-29Apply on Workday

Full job description

This position will provide leadership and technical expertise to the Space Security and Defense Program (SSDP) for Space Domain Awareness (SDA) force design and analysis - related tasks. SSDP is a fast-paced organization that works complex space enterprise problems in a multi-level classification environment. The ideal candidate will be responsible for leading, guiding and advancing Aerospace SSDP SDA technical analysis for the Colorado Springs-based team. Duties include leading an analysis driven work plan supported by sound engineering judgement, data, testing and strategic foresight to enable government decisions on strategic and operational responses to emerging threats; defining technical tasks and leading matrixed teams of technical and intelligence experts from our Engineering and Technology Group (ETG), Project West Wing (PWW) and other engineers / analysts; and ensuring timely and quality reporting to Aerospace and customers.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in

Colorado Springs, CO.

What You’ll Be Doing

  • Translate abstract customer needs into specific analysis questions and plans for execution
  • Lead technical assessments and strategic planning for SSDP in the SDA mission area
  • Organize and lead multi-disciplinary teams in the strategic development of new capabilities and workflows
  • Provide architecture level acquisition support, studies, and analysis
  • Participate in engagement activities with a variety of mission partners across government as well as diverse industry partners
  • Develop, communicate, and defend Aerospace technical positions on a wide variety of program assessments and key technical and operational questions to both customer and Aerospace senior management
  • Participate in significant interaction with staff from Aerospace’s ETG to ensure appropriate tasking, progress and results
  • Operate as a direct interface to the government program leadership and interface with all levels of Aerospace, customer, and contractor personnel
  • Be self-motivated to search for and recognize technical and programmatic issues and develop related solutions
  • Mentor and support the growth of junior members of the team as well as key Aerospace ETG staff
  • This position requires some travel

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements Sr. Project Engineer – Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering:

  • Bachelor's degree in an appropriate technical/STEM-related discipline from a recognized institution
  • 12 years of experience in government SSA/SDA acquisition and/or operations, with a preference for experience which spans SSA/SDA and Space Control mission areas
  • A proven history of applying engineering skills and best practices to the resolution of complex problems
  • Demonstrated ability to interface between organizations across the broader DoD and National Security Space Enterprise
  • Demonstrated ability to organize and lead the activities of technical staff and contribute to the efforts of multi-disciplinary teams
  • Ability to develop and defend technical positions based on complex analysis sets
  • Ability to work in a highly dynamic environment with quickly changing priorities and activities
  • Direct experience with SDA sensors and systems
  • Familiarity with space security concepts/mission and US capabilities and vulnerabilities to new and emerging threats.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills. Must show initiative and leadership and require minimal management oversight
  • Active Top Secret SCI clearance and eligible for SAP/SAR clearances, which are issued by the US government. US Citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
  • Applicant must be willing to take a US government administered polygraph test.

How You Can Stand Out

  • M.S. or Ph.D. in engineering, mathematics, or science
  • Experience in SDA concepts, strategies, and architectures
  • Experience with optical or radar remote sensing systems
  • Familiarity with Aerospace’s Engineering and Technology Group modeling, simulation, and analysis capabilities

(Min - Max)

$151,300.00 - $226,900.00

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