Defensive Cybersecurity 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.

Information Systems and Cyber Division (ISCD) staff couple the latest in information system technologies, such as elastic compute clouds, containerization, microservices, real-time operating systems, and visualization frameworks, with expertise in cyber security, software architecture, software engineering, data science, Artificial Intelligence, process improvement, and software development to deliver responsive, resilient, high-performance software intensive systems to our Intelligence Community, DoD, and civilian customers.

The Defensive Cyber Operations section in the Cyber Defense Solutions Department is looking for a cybersecurity engineer to join our growing team who design, implement, and deploy cyber solutions to defend our nation’s most valuable assets in space. We support a variety of customers including the Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC), the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), and other civil customers (e.g. NASA, NOAA) in order to resolve unique challenges in protecting their ground networks and satellite systems from sophisticated adversaries.  As a defensive cybersecurity engineer in CDSD, you’ll be working on teams and developing prototypes to support our customer’s mission  

Work Model  

This is fulltime position based in El Segundo, California, offering a hybrid work model that combines 3 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business needs allow. 

What You’ll Be Doing

• Write software code in Python or Rust languages to develop and improve cybersecurity applications used by the Space Force and other government customers.

• Work on teams and projects in the areas of software security, cloud security, container security, mission assessments, orchestration and automation technologies, spacecraft cyber analytics and continuous monitoring.

• Build new technical capabilities, lead product demonstrations, provide technical support, and interact directly with product owners and customers

• Engage with industry and government partners regularly to assess new cybersecurity technologies and provide recommendations of their use to the customer

• Pitch new project ideas to address emerging technology focus areas and lead your project as the principal investigator

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Senior Member of Technical Staff - Cyber security architecture and Information Systems Security

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM, Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Systems, or similar field

• 4 years of experience in Cyber Security
• Proficient with programming in Python, Rust, C/C++, or other relevant language
• Experience using SIEM tools, SOAR/Orchestration tools, EDR tools, Penetration Test or Vulnerability Assessment tools, or Incident Response procedures and tools
• Understanding of cybersecurity threats and countermeasures
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of industry-accepted data processing controls and concepts as applied to access management and network security technologies
• Strong understanding of Zero Trust security principles and frameworks
• Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site domestically approx. 20% of the time
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security 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:

• Demonstrated experience in a cybersecurity related position
• Knowledge of encryption principals, secure boot, zero trust architectures, cloud platform technologies, and networking security
• Experience working in a Security Operations Center (SOC)
• Experience with satellite system design and software technologies
• Hold at least one current security certification (Sec+, CISSP, GSEC, etc)
• Active TS/SCI security 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)

$110,400 - $165,500

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.