Space Systems Engineer/Sr. Space Systems Engineer at The Aerospace Corporation — El Segundo, CA

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.

The Project West Wing provides technical intelligence analysis and research for a broad range of national security space and intelligence community customers. The Enterprise Threats (ET) team delivers unique, timely, and independent technical assessments of current and future threats to space-based capabilities.

We are seeking Space Systems Engineers (Project Engineer / Senior Project Engineer) with multidisciplinary experience spanning space systems engineering. Any experience in cybersecurity, orbital dynamics, automation/AI, and kill chain analysis would also be valuable.

What You'll Be Doing

• Conduct comprehensive threat assessments of space systems, including jamming, spoofing, cyber, directed energy, electronic warfare, and kinetic threats
• Perform kill chain analysis to identify system vulnerabilities and inform mitigation strategies
• Act as technical contributor, consultant, and primary project coordinator on space system engineering analysis projects
• Leveraging engineering analytic tools informed by technical intelligence to assess space system performance parameters
• Facilitating interaction between customers and Aerospace technical and management staff
• Coordinating large-scale technical efforts across program/project lines
• Providing strategic leadership to resiliency efforts within the US space enterprise

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements Project Engineer - Systems and Scientific & Technical Intelligence Engineering:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in science, engineering, or mathematics
• 8 or more years of experience in aerospace engineering or related field
• Demonstrated interest in and understanding of relevant satellite threat technologies and their applications; e.g., electronic warfare, directed energy, high power microwaves, kinetic effects
• Experience in satellite systems analysis executing range of engineering and modeling tools
• Must be comfortable in a rapidly changing environment and have a strong demonstrated personal initiative
• Superior written and oral communications skills and ability to work with other analysts and customers as a team player
• Flexibility to learn new tools/capabilities as needed
• Willing to travel 10% approx.
• This position requires an active TS clearance with the ability to get SCI access, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Senior Project Engineer - Systems and Scientific & Technical Intelligence Engineering include:

• 12 or more years relevant technical experience is required
• Proven experience space systems engineering, satellites, and operations/spacecraft systems or data analytics background in a space environment
• Able to guide and mentor other analysts and develop more effective data processing techniques
• Collaborate with government customers and identify new projects of interest
• Effectively prioritize efforts based on a combination of factors (e.g. impact, relevance, findings, etc.)
• Confidently communicate insights and findings and their significance to senior leadership

How You Can Stand Out

• Advanced degree from an accredited program in science, engineering, or mathematics
• Experience in aerospace engineering, with a strong background in the analytic space intelligence community
• Demonstrated project management skills across multiple engineering disciplines
• Cybersecurity: Understanding of network security analysis, cyber threat assessment, cryptographic systems analysis, or secure communication vulnerabilities
• Automation/AI: Familiarity with autonomous systems, machine learning vulnerabilities, or AI-enabled system architectures

(Min - Max)

$117,300.00 - $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