Satellite Lead Engineer, Space Projects

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) serves as the technical and programmatic advisor to the United States Space Force's (USSF’s) Space Systems Command (SSC) [formerly Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC)] for acquiring, developing, and fielding capabilities for the United States Space Command and joint warfighter as well as to maintain America’s comprehensive military advantage in space.  

 

As a Sr. Project Engineer/Project Engineer - Engineering Program Management for Prototype Enabling Space Vehicles, you’ll primarily work on the Rapid On-Orbit Space Test Evaluation Ring (ROOSTER) Space Vehicle, as well as the Tetra family of Space Vehicle teams. You will be assigned to the Space Projects Section of the Developmental Prototypes and Projects Department. You will provide technical leadership to multiple Space Systems Center Special Programs (SSC/SZ) Materiel Leaders. In less than 3 years the person accepting this position will experience all phases of the space vehicle procure, design, build, test, launch, operate, transfer, and retire life cycle and have the opportunity to work with stakeholders across the national security space enterprise.

 

Work Model

This position calls for minimum of 4 days of on El Segundo Campus in-office work and potential for 1 day of teleworking at management discretion.

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Provide technical leadership across a diverse team of Engineering Technology Group (ETG in-house engineering matrix staff) to drive the rapid procurement, build, payload integration, space vehicle mission assurance, do no harm assessments, launch and early operations of to be launched ROOSTER and Tetra Space Vehicles. The Tetra space vehicle can host multiple prototype payloads and ROOSTER can host numerous different payloads or space vehicles.
• Advise USSF-43, USSF-112 and USSF-70 launch senior steering group members on ROOSTER-4 and ROOSTER-5+, Tetra 3, Tetra 4, Tetra 5, Tetra 6 space vehicles.
• Conduct do no harm assessments to the integrated payload stack, anticipate first launch no earlier than Jan 2026.
• Provide technical guidance for the requirements and strategy for the Enterprise Fleet Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Acquisition Strategy.
• Plan, organize, tailor, and lead agile mission assurance activities to appropriately balance risk tolerance and speed associated with rapid prototype hosted payloads.  
• Organize technical team, assess, and provide root cause analysis for potential in factory or on orbit anomalies.
• Responsible for systems integration, interfaces of payloads, ground infrastructure and associated sponsoring customers and prime contractors’ integration with the primary mission.
• As Aerospace representative in a customer or contractor environment, provide nondirective advice, accept action items, and may coordinate pertinent budgets, tasks, priorities. In systems engineering assignments generally leads/coordinates team comprised of diversly skilled engineers servicing a major portion of a larger project or working across multiple projects.

 

What You Need to be Successful - Project Engineer, Engineering Program Management

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant Engineering, Math, or Science subject area
• At least 6 years of progressively more responsible related experience in engineering, computer science, network management, cyber security, or technology development. 
• Proven ability to work in multidisciplinary teams and ability to work with government customers.
• Familiarity with Space Systems Engineering and Integration.
• This position requires a current and active TS/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government; and U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. 
• Willingness to travel 10-15% of the time.

 

In addition to the above, the Senior Project Engineer - Engineering Program Management requires the following: 

• At least 12 years of progressively more responsible related experience in engineering, computer science, network management, cyber security, or technology development. 
• Track record of leading integrated multidisciplinary teams and ability to interface effectively with senior management from the Government customer and development contractors
• Strong background in Systems Engineering and Integration with demonstrated success in supporting the fielding of space systems. 
• Proven ability to succinctly describe complex technical issues to engineering staff, senior leadership, and customers to influence outcomes.  
• Broad familiarity with Space Force Organizations
• Willingness to travel approximately 10-15 percent of the time. 

 

How You Can Stand Out  

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

• Experience in space systems, space technology development, DoD acquisition processes and/or activities related do no harm, and multi-manifest integrated payload stacks.
• Experience with assembly, integration and test.
• Previous line or team management experience and/or Aerospace Corporation program office experience working with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Positive attitude, calm under pressure and ability to speak truth to power in a non-confrontational teaching manner.
• Proven ability to work in a high-pressure environment with constantly evolving priorities.
• Previous experience in the development and operation of prototype space vehicles or payloads.
• Experience with model-based system engineering (MBSE) tools, data ontologies/standards and model development. 

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.