Mission 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.
Job Summary
The Aerospace Corporation's Experiment Lab, xLab, develops prototypes, instruments, pathfinders, and demonstration systems to address our customers' hardest problems at the speed of need. We engage with our customers to conceptualize innovative solutions and deliver impactful products for ground and space and everything in between. We are looking for engineers with a passion for design, a commitment to teamwork and a desire to help xLab make a difference to today's challenges.
We are looking for an experienced Mission Systems Engineer who knows how to translate high level problems into solutions and take projects from concept through delivery and operations. You'll work in an Integrated Product Team environment with engineers both local and from across the company to identify enabling technologies, take responsibility for key system trades, and help the team execute technical approaches to meet the mission needs. This is a "roll up the sleeves" systems engineering role with extensive systems integration and test at the heart of the role.
This is a full-time position based in Chantilly, VA, offering a hybrid work model that combines regular onsite work and remote flexibility as the business needs allow.
What You'll Be Doing

• Provide systems engineering leadership in the development of prototypes from concept development through integration and test in small to medium team environment (10-20 staff)
• Inaugural role will be as SE/Systems Integrator to integrate, test and deliver systems comprised of unique Aerospace payloads and commercial small satellite buses. Working closely with customer and project management team your role includes:
  
  • Responsible for the development and maintenance of system architecture definition which, depending on the complexity of the system, may include essential input from multiple subject-matter experts in electrical, mechanical, thermal, structural, technology readiness, reliability, redundancy, safety, resource management, environmental survivability, user interface, level of autonomy, test-as-you fly, software-firmware trades, buy/make decisions, etc.
  • Identify and manage key system trades, and program risks and supporting principal investigator/project manager to execute a continuous risk management plan
  • Develop system models and analyses to support derivation of lower level requirements and participate in subsystem requirements allocation to ensure system capabilities meet customer objectives
  • Develop and maintain systems engineering processes and artifacts such as: interface control documentation; design drawing tree; system level review development and presentations (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR); anomaly/failure investigations when necessary to identify root cause, corrective action, and preventative action; configuration control and management; verification and validation plans for system requirements and mission objectives and ensure their execution
  • Manage the archive of the as-built system, documents, and lessons learned, to facilitate technology transfer to other government entities or commercial industry as appropriate
  • Lead the development and execution of system operating procedures for functional checkout, environmental testing, spacecraft integration, commissioning, and mission operations.

This position is available as an Engineering Specialist or a Senior Engineering Specialist.
What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements:
Engineering Specialist

• Bachelors degree in a STEM field or equivalent
• Typically, 8 years of technical work experience that includes advanced prototype development or technology insertion
• Experience writing detailed and verifiable requirements
• Experience in mission concept development to include CONOPS generation, architecture definition, system requirements flow-down, and technology maturation plans
• Experience in all phases of the systems engineering lifecycle: concept development, requirements engineering, system design and development, systems integration, test and evaluation
• Experience giving technical presentations, particularly system-level reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.)
• Willingness to occasionally travel and to work off-business hours to support customer needs, approximately six times per year
• This position requires a current and Active Secret clearance with the ability to upgrade to TS/SCI, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Senior Engineering Specialist
Same requirements as an Engineering Specialist noted above, in addition to:

• Typically, 12 years of total technical work experience that includes advanced prototype development or technology insertion
• Demonstrated experience in creating diverse innovative solutions or have significantly reshaped existing solutions
• Experience in maturing ideas to prototypes
• Experience with hardware and/or software projects as a project lead

How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
Engineering Specialist or Senior Engineering Specialist

• Advanced degree in a STEM field or equivalent is strongly preferred
• Strong technical foundation in space missions and associated ground systems
• Current Integration & Test experience with commercial small satellite buses (e.g., BCT, Tyvak)
• Hands on experience leading technical teams in detailed design and test in one or more technical disciplines (electrical, software, structural, thermal, etc.)
• Experience developing advanced technology demonstration and operational systems

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 [email protected]. You can also review Know Your Rights, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.