Mission Integration Project Leader

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.

Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, development planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape the future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including US Space Force, U.S Space 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. DSG also assists the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

The Mission Integration & Mission Manifest Office Directorate within the Launch Systems Division is responsible for NSS spacecraft-launch vehicle integration, working across Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, Vulcan, and New Entrant launch vehicles.  We are seeking a Mission Integration Engineer (Project Leader – Systems and Mission Assurance Engineering) to provide technical support for NSS spacecraft-launch vehicle integration. The selected candidate will serve as the primary interface between launch vehicle and spacecraft program offices and their respective contractors for USSF and NRO spacecraft and will also provide technical support in creating mission sets for future multi-manifest missions and ensuring adequacy of Do-No-Harm assessments on those missions. The selected candidate must be able to work effectively with customer personnel at all levels, and establish and maintain excellent working relationships with contractor, customer and Aerospace personnel across multiple organizations.

Work Model

This position sits in El Segundo, CA, at LAAFB in the SSC/AATS Program Office, and is part of a customer-facing program office team.  Some telework will be acceptable, depending on customer support needs.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Manage and track mission verification activities leading up to Day of Launch.
• Work with spacecraft and launch vehicle programs to develop SV-LV interface requirements as well as appropriate verification approaches for incorporation into Interface Control Documents (ICDs)
• Support launch rehearsals and Day of Launch activities.
• Support multi-manifest spacecraft integration.
• Form and lead teams that work across functional organizations.
• Work with launch vehicle programs, ETG, and the launch sites to ensure launch systems meet all mission requirements.
• Establish effective working relationships with spacecraft programs and launch vehicle and space vehicle contractors.
• Work effectively with customer personnel at all levels.
• Mentor junior Space Force officers and help them develop into effective program managers.
• Prepare and present mission readiness briefings at major readiness reviews.
• Develop and incorporate mission integration requirements and strategy into program planning for future launch service acquisitions.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• BS degree in Engineering or Science required
• Six or more years of related experience
• Ability to travel
• Well-grounded in a variety of technical subject areas associated with spacecraft and launch vehicles
• Capability to lead teams of technologists to resolve multidisciplinary challenges
• Proven track record working with Space Force customers and leadership without direct involvement from Aerospace management
• History of assisting Space Force Leadership in decision-making processes
• Experience working with contractor personnel and across Aerospace organizations
• Ability to balance technical details and broader programmatic issues
• This position requires current Secret clearance or ability to obtain Secret clearance, which is issued by the US government.  U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

It would be great if you had one or more of these:

• Advanced degree in a relevant engineering field
• Direct experience with NSSL-class spacecraft-launch vehicle integration and related documentation such as Interface Control Documents (ICDs)
• Experience with rideshare / multi-manifest spacecraft integration
• Demonstrated ability to optimally prioritize tasks

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.  The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below.  Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills. 

(Min - Max)

$120,800 - $181,100

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

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

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 ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.