Advanced Communications Satellite Senior 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 Advanced Demonstrations department provides engineering expertise on advanced communication systems within the Spectrum Warfare Delta at SSC, supporting exciting and high-value activities in a closed domain. This Senior Project Leader position will serve as a critical resource to spacecraft and payload integration activities occurring in the Delta. This position will oversee the development of program requirements, execution of multiple contracts, assembly and integration of a spacecraft and associated payloads, as well as end-to-end system testing. This exciting opportunity will also oversee the establishment of working groups across Aerospace (including ETG) and the government with its associated SE&I contractors.

Work Model

This position is 100% on-site and located in El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Acting as a lead system integrator, across multiple aspects of the satellite design and acquisition
• Advising the customer, including government leadership, in formulating, evaluating, and overseeing understanding of system requirements and system engineering practices
• Demonstrating an understanding of the overall system architecture and the flow down of system requirements to ensure required capabilities are ultimately delivered
• Providing insight to Aerospace leadership and the customer on risks, issues, opportunities and associated mitigation strategies and corrective actions
• Responsible for ensuring successful execution of systems integration efforts between space, ground, and crypto segments of the satellite program
• Applying systems engineering, requirements, and test & validation standard methodologies to assist the customer in development of acquisition documents required for execution of space, ground, and crypto acquisition efforts
• Working day-to-day to solve challenging systems engineering problems and in response, developing creative solutions
• Acts as a senior mentor to team members, providing technical guidance to staff in both technical duties and program office responsibilities as well as development insights
• Develop, foster, and manage ETG support to the program and ensure the program is receiving the required subject matter expertise
• Ensuring technical coordination across key internal/external stakeholders
• Establishing and maintaining the confidence and trust of the government customer

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

Minimum Requirements:             

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, physical science, mathematics, or related technical degree
• 12 years of professional engineering/scientific experience, including experience in a systems engineering and/or program management environment
• Experience building and maintaining effective interpersonal relations with internal and external organizations such as with customers, Aerospace, contractors, or related
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
• Work integrally and effectively with the program office team and staff from external organizations
• Ability to travel occasionally
• This position requires a current Top Secret/SSBI/SCI clearance and with the ability to obtain additional security clearances, which are 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 these:

• Experience in supporting a communication satellite program(s)
• Experience working in a program office with a government customer
• Experience with satellite crypto and cyber security requirements

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)

$155,900 - $233,900

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.