Launch Vehicle Systems Engineer

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 Launch Systems Division (LSD) helps our customers develop innovative solutions in support of military, human space flight, and commercial applications by interfacing with organizations such as the United States Space Force, NASA, DARPA, NRO, and FAA.  Our people provide customers timely, value added, decision quality information and analyses to solve technical and programmatic issues to outpace the threat. We are seeking a well-qualified individual (Vehicle Systems Engineer – Systems and Mission Assurance Engineering) with proven technical leadership and outstanding communication abilities to be part of a team that supports and shapes the future of the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program (USSF/SSC/AA) as part of the Assured Access to Space (AATS) Directorate.  We on-ramping emerging launch vehicles (e.g., New Glenn, Neutron, Terran R) to accommodate NSS missions that can accept lower reliability and elevated flight risks using the NSSL Lane 1 acquisition approach.  Our team coordinates and maintains support for the evaluation of launch vehicle design, launch service provider processes, operational capabilities, and tiered mission assurance processes.  Are you ready to launch your career in this exciting new mission area?

Work Model

This challenging cutting-edge position is located on-site in El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide technical leadership for NSSL Lane 1 acquisition effort, including RFP development, source selection, and contract execution
• Work closely with AATS Director of Engineering and staff to develop and maintain NSSL Lane 1 mission assurance and systems engineering processes
• Develop and maintain NSSL Lane 1 mission assurance command media, contractual documents, and launch verification matrix
• Support launch systems design and process reviews of new entrant (e.g., Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, Relativity Space)
• Communicate status and progress of technical activities, issues, and accomplishments through reports and briefings to Aerospace, Space Force, and contractor teams

What You Need to be Successful – (Senior Member of Technical Staff - Systems and Mission Assurance Engineering)

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM or closely related field
• 5 years of professional growth and related experience with launch or space vehicle hardware
• Familiarity with launch or space vehicle hardware design, analysis, and testing
• Track record in coordinating or participating in multi-disciplinary technical team efforts
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

In addition to the above, the Project Engineer – Systems and Mission Assurance Engineering requires the following

• 8 years of professional growth and related experience with launch or space vehicle hardware
• Proven experience with launch or space vehicle hardware design, analysis, and testing
• Track record in coordinating or participating in technical team efforts

How You Can Stand Out

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

• A Master’s Degree in a STEM Field
• Hands-on experience working with launch vehicle or spacecraft hardware
• Expertise in the design, analysis, and testing of launch vehicle or spacecraft hardware
• Proficient in design, analysis, and testing of launch vehicle systems
• Experience with building launch vehicle or spacecraft systems in model-based environments
• Familiar with NSSL processes, specifications, and standards
• Experience using Python or other programming languages for data review and analysis
• Innovative and futuristic thinking to drive continuous improvement