Space Combat Forces Sr. Systems 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 Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, developmental planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape future space missions across the national security space enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including United States Space Force, United States Space Command, Air Force Material 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.

As part of the Space Enterprise and Warfighting Division, the Space Warfighting Directorate provides high-quality analytical support to the US Space Force’s Space Operations Command (SpOC), Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM), and United States Space Forces - Space (S4S) Field Commands, advising the Government on the design, performance, operational employment, and resilience of current and future space forces to integrate into the joint fight delivering combat relevant space effects, in, from, and to space to win the next war. We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Systems Engineer to support Headquarters Space Operations Command (SpOC).  The successful candidate will be able to provide experience-based technical expertise and trusted counsel to SpOC leadership on all aspects of the USSF space operations portfolio.

Work Model: This position requires 100% on site work at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO and the Aerospace Colorado Springs campus.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing trusted technical counsel to HQ SpOC, including senior leadership, on all aspects of Orbital and Electronic Warfare (OW & EW), Space-Based Sensing and Targeting (SBST), Space Domain Awareness (SDA), Battle Management Command and Control (BMC2), and Offensive Cyber Operations (OCO) capabilities from initial concept and requirements definition, through programming, development, testing, operations, and sustainment.
• Serving as a key advisor for the customer’s proponency role representing the operational community to inform the design, requirements, development, fielding, planning, integration, operational employment, and sustainment of enterprise capabilities.
• Solving the customers’ hardest enterprise integration problems optimizing the broader space operations portfolio for space warfighting.
• Providing the customer with technical assessments of system design, process integrity, and schedule confidence for missions with rapid acquisition timelines.
• Supporting Space Forces Generation (SPAFORGEN) and other activities to ensure the readiness of space combat forces to meet Combatant Command warfighting objectives prior to presentation to the joint force.
• Working with mixed government, Systems Engineering & Technical Analysis (SETA) and FFRDC teams on architecture, strategy, and systems engineering projects and tasks.
• Delivering high quality technical products in a timely manner.
• Exemplifying Aerospace corporate values of objectivity and integrity when serving as a trusted agent to our government customers.

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

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, mathematics or other relevant technical discipline.
• Twelve or more years of increasingly responsible relevant professional engineering experience supporting National Security Space (NSS) missions.
• An operational background in electronic warfare, orbital warfare, space domain awareness, battle management command and control, or offensive cyber mission areas.
• Familiarity with space tactical unit operations, operational-level command and control, and battle management.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain trusted relationships with government customers and key stakeholders under minimal supervision.
• Experience with the elements and processes associated with a government system acquisition lifecycle as well as the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) processes.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills for interactions at all levels of corporate and government leadership.
• This position requires a current and active TS/SCI security clearance and additional special accesses, which are issued by the U.S. government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Ability to travel domestically, with some international travel possible.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Previous work with organizations such as USSPACECOM, DoD/OSD, HQ USSF, SPOs/Centers (i.e., Space Systems Command (SSC), Space Development Agency (SDA), Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (DAF RCO), Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SpRCO)), National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), Missile Defense Agency (MDA)), and other U.S. agencies and mission partners to assist in understanding the Space Force’s strategic priorities and direction.
• Knowledge and and experience working across and leveraging the Aerospace Corporation’s backplane, as well as partnering with other FFRDC partners.
• Current knowledge of OW, EW, SBST, SDA, BMC2, and OCO system technologies, capabilities, acquisition, along with an understanding of associated space and ground systems development. 
• Experience working with SDA’s Proliferated Warfighting Space Architecture (PWSA) effort.
• Experience breaking down complex concepts and providing subject-matter expertise to interested parties to aid in solving the hardest space warfighting problems.
• Experience in effectively interacting with and advising USSF and government senior leaders on matters of strategic importance.
• Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) /Special Access Required (SAR) accesses.

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.