Ground 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.

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.

Great opportunity to join the Protected Antijam Tactical SATCOM (PATS) family of programs that will provide secure SATCOM services to tactical users in contested or weather degraded environments. Under PATS, the Protected Tactical Enterprise Service (PTES) program provides ground elements that will enable an operational Protected Tactical Waveform (PTW) capability via Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS). PTES is about one year away from achieving Initial Operational Capability, focusing on requirement verification and end-to-end integration and test to mature the system and bring protected SATCOM to the warfighters.

Work Model

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA offering a hybrid work model that combines at least 3 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business needs allow

What You’ll Be Doing

• Working closely with contractor, Government, Aerospace, SETA and other FFRDC personnel to develop stream-lined system verification use cases to sell off requirements
• Applying skills and adaptability in systems engineering, software, hardware, networking, and cloud computing environments to identify and resolve integration issues at contractor and government sites
• Interfacing with contractor and government test agencies to validate end-to-end capabilities and achieve entering government testing
• Working with Government, Aerospace, SETA and other FFRDC personnel to evaluate contractor performance, identify technical and performance risks and oversee mitigation activities
• Working closely with contractor personnel to deliver capabilities per integrated master schedule and integrated master plan
• Participating in technology working groups, reviewing and evaluating contractor submitted documents for technical accuracy and completeness, and identifying and mitigating program risk

What You Need to be Successful - Senior Project Engineer - Systems Engineering - Acquisition and Systems Engineering

Minimum Requirements:

• B.S. in science, engineering, mathematics, or related discipline
• Twelve or more years of experience of increasing responsibilities in  systems engineering
• Experience spanning development, integration and test and verification
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple concurrent tasks
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills to collaborate with customers, peers, contractors, and other stakeholders
• Willingness to travel
• Current secret clearance, which is issued by the US government. US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of the following:

• Experience leading project teams to deliver systems engineering and multi-discipline expertise
• Systems engineering experience applied to SATCOM ground systems
• Master or PhD degree from an accredited program in computer science or engineering
• Broad experience spanning systems engineering, hardware and software development, integration and deployment including satellites, ground stations and terminals
• Experience with government acquisition processes

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.