Senior Systems Schedule 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 Systems Engineering Division (SED) provides unmatched experience in systems engineering to the U.S. government and to numerous public and private agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, consortia, and commercial companies involved in the advanced application of space technology. From systems architecture development to system analysis and optimization, astrodynamics, orbital debris, navigation, failure analysis, mission assurance, cost and schedule assessment, and economic market analysis, SED exploits an incredibly broad array of engineering and business disciplines against a diverse and dynamic portfolio of programs and national challenges. 

Aerospace’s Integrated Cost and Schedule Analysis (iCASA) Department is seeking a Senior Systems Schedule Engineer (Senior Engineer Specialist - Cost & Schedule Analysis) to join a diverse, innovative, and highly productive team of cost and schedule professionals. This growing, geographically distributed department supports a wide range of customers in the National Security, Civil and Commercial, and International Space Communities. iCASA applies cost, schedule, and economic engineering expertise to improve customer cost and schedule related decision making and collects lessons learned from a wide variety of programs to help develop better engineering management techniques within the fields of cost, schedule, and risk analyses.

Work Model: This position is located onsite at one of five Aerospace Corporation locations with a strong preference for El Segundo, CA or Chantilly, VA. Alternative locations include Colorado Springs, CO, Crystal City, VA, or Huntsville, AL. This position offers a hybrid work model that combines 3-5 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business needs allow.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead support to space and ground acquisition program offices and independent review teams in a wide range of programmatic and technical analyses.
• Lead research, analysis, and development of schedule risk assessments (SRAs) to support government procurement of cost-effective space systems.
• Develop, status, and maintain integrated master schedules (IMSs) and master phasing schedules (MPS) ensuring adherence to scheduling best practices.
• Conduct schedule diagnostics and metrics, including DCMA 14-Point assessments and GAO Best Practices, providing informed recommendations based on thorough analysis.
• Lead engineering trade studies, program baseline development, proposal evaluations, and the creation and maintenance of in-house simulation tools and models; lead derivation of schedule estimating relationships (SERs).
• Engage with the professional community by leading and organizing events such as conference, seminars, and industry forums. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities for engagement and growth.
• Act as senior mentor, providing technical advice/guidance to staff and customers.
• Think critically and work effectively to synthesize information from multiple sources and provide informed information into narratives as deliverables.
• Develop and deliver accurate and timely reports and presentations that clearly communicate results and solutions to support critical decisions; be responsible for ensuring Aerospace technical quality in terms of completeness, relevance, accuracy, and timeliness.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements: Senior Engineer Specialist - Cost & Schedule Analysis

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Science, or related field.
• 12 years of increasingly responsible scheduling/schedule analysis expertise, including detailed experience with the development of integrated master schedules in support of space and launch systems acquisitions as well as systems engineering planning; ground systems experience highly desirable.
• Proficiency in developing and maintaining MS Project schedules; familiarity with industry schedule best practices, schedule software tools, models, methodologies, and schedule databases.
• Experience conducting Schedule Risk Analyses (SRAs) is strongly desired, including SRA tool familiarization.
• Experience leading highly technical project teams.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across corporate staff, peers, management, program offices, customers, and contractors.
• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across all levels of corporate and government leadership.
• Willing to travel domestically when required, approximately 10%.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance, which is 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 Engineering, Mathematics, Operations Research, or related science field.
• Prior leadership experience, particularly in source selections and evaluation processes.
• Knowledge of Cost Estimation, Earned Value Management, and Program Planning processes.

• Experience with ground/IT systems and software development schedule analysis.

• Expertise in using industry-standard scheduling tools (ACEIT-JACS, Acumen Fuse, Full Monte, Microsoft Project, Milestones Pro, Primavera, Steelray, WBS Schedule Pro, etc.).
• Experience in programming and modeling, particularly for tools analyzing space, ground, and launch system schedules.
• Teaching experience in technical fields.
• Professional certification (e.g., PMP, PMI-ACP, PSP, CSEP, ESEP).
• Current NASA AUID, DoD TS, and/or SSBI/SCI clearance.

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)

$151,300 - $226,900

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.