Proliferated Spacecraft System 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 National Systems Group serves as the technical advisor to the Intelligence Community and its mission partners involved in the collection and distribution of national and tactical intelligence, including electronics programs, advanced technologies, ground and communications, imagery programs, and systems engineering and launch.
Break new ground in major system acquisition and shape the future of Aerospace engagement with the Intelligence Community and commercial leaders in the industry as a Proliferated Spacecraft System Engineer in an exciting, innovative, fast-moving program office.
Imagery Programs Division's (IPD) Reconnaissance Systems (RS) Office is looking for a Proliferated Spacecraft System Engineer with a focus on electro-optical collectors to serve in a program office role on a new, revolutionary distributed architecture system.
This position requires 100% in person work in Chantilly, VA
What You'll Be Doing:

• Supporting the customer through design trades, acquisition, production, test, launch and operation of a large, distributed architecture hosting multiple payload types on a common bus platform to ensure the architecture (electro-optical collection in particular) performs as required within the larger Enterprise.
• Understanding and assessing the full technical design (of bus, payloads, and bus subsystems) being developed by the payload and bus providers.
• Applying tailored mission assurance practices to identify high risk areas of the acquisition and deployment of the end-to-end system.
• Leading a team of matrixed engineering subject matter experts to develop technical solutions to burn down the program's highest risks.
• Leading associated milestone reviews (ex. Requirements Verification Activities, Test Readiness Reviews) and hardware sell-off activities.
• Leading non-conformance, anomaly, and major technical issue response teams, directing supporting SME in design evaluation, test, and analyses, consolidating input, and providing recommendations in support of root cause and corrective action efforts.
• Providing primary on-site Aerospace presence to the customer.

What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering, mathematics, or science field.
• 12 years of progressively more responsible experience
• Experience in one or more of the following:
  
  • Spacecraft payload design, analysis, and development (electro-optical in particular)
  • Spacecraft bus, unit, and subsystem design, analysis, and development
  • Adapting mission assurance practices to align with program risk tolerance
• A background in in unit-level, subsystem-level, and vehicle-level manufacturing, assembly, test, and systems engineering for payloads and spacecraft
• Prior experience working in a dynamic program office setting.
• Willing to support occasional travel (up to 1 week per month).
• This position requires the ability to have and maintain a current and active TS/SSBI/SCI security clearance and polygraph, which are issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

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

• Advanced degree in relevant engineering, mathematics, or science field.
• Knowledge of and experience with proliferated/distributed space architectures
• Strong knowledge of and first-hand experience with:
  
  • Spacecraft payload design, analysis, development, testing, and sell-off (electro-optical systems in particular)
  • Spacecraft bus, unit, and subsystem design, analysis, development, testing, and sell-off
  • Adapting mission assurance practices to align with program risk tolerance
• Demonstrated initiative and leadership without direct management oversight.
• Ability to apply creative solutions to a non-traditional program within contractual constraints.
• Strong customer-oriented attitude with outstanding skills in communication and presentation of technical data.
• History of working in a fast-paced team environment.

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: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.