Sr. Communications 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.

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 Air Force Space Command, U.S. Strategic 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.

The Narrowband Systems and SATCOM Capabilities subdivision within DSG delivers exemplary technical leadership across the SATCOM enterprise working with all stakeholders to develop and extend SATCOM capability to the warfighter. We are seeking a skilled Senior Communications Systems Engineer (Senior Project Engineer – Communication Systems Engineering) with extensive experience supporting the military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) enterprise with duty at the Ft. Detrick, MD., Wideband Satellite Operations Center (WSOC), the U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command  (SSC) – MILSATCOM Product Support Delta (SSC/CGM). This engineer will report to the MILSATCOM Operations Support Directorate in Colorado Springs, CO., but be the direct customer facing representative for SSC/CGM at Ft. Detrick and Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA).

Work Model

This position will be a hybrid work model and offer 1 day remote with 4 days onsite work required in the Fort Detrick Wideband SATCOM Operations Center in Frederick, MD., as the business needs allow.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide systems engineering, integration, and test expertise to support the sustainment of the Wideband Operational Management System of Systems including Global Satellite Configuration Control Element (GSCCE), Common Network Planning Software (CNPS), Remote Management and Control Equipment (RMCE), Wideband SATCOM Trend Analysis and Anomaly Resolution System (WSTARS), and other WSOMS subsystems

• Provide system integration to Wideband Control Branch, Wideband SATCOM Operations Centers, Regional SATCOM Support Centers, and Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) SATCOM and Teleport Operations support during all phases of operations (e.g., day-to-day, contingency, non-routine, and emergency)

• Provide sustaining engineering support to USSF operators and sustainers at Space Delta 8 (DEL 8) and 53 Space Operations Squadron (53SOPS)

• Provide expertise for identifying, developing, evaluating, and testing modifications and enhancements to space and ground systems capabilities prior to fielding of new wideband SATCOM enterprise and tactical systems

• Provide expertise for evaluating, testing, integration and fielding new control and management systems or capabilities such as the Beam Optimization and Operational Management (BOOM) systems, Power and Control Management System (PCMS), Enterprise Satellite Communications Management and Control (ESC-MC), and Joint Management Tool (JMT) that will integrate with the Wideband MILSATCOM portfolio

• Provide support for the research, development, test, and evaluation of SATCOM system technology refreshment activities and emerging programs

• Direct interaction with various organizations, including Headquarters Space Operations Command (SpOC), U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM), DEL 8, 53 SOPS, DISA, National Security Agency (NSA), SSC staff offices, other Combatant Commands, and MILSATCOM management boards and working groups to ensure adequate issue resolution and mission performance

• Collaborate closely with the Aerospace and Government representatives in the MILSATCOM Operations and Sustainment Office in Colorado Springs (Peterson SFB, Schriever SFB) and other Aerospace Engineering and Technology Group (ETG), other Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC), University-Affiliated Research Centers (UARC), other DoD agencies, and MILSATCOM Divisions and SMC staff in El Segundo

What You Need to be Successful – Senior Project Engineer – Communication Systems Engineering

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s of Science degree in engineering or other related field

• 12 or more years of experience of increasing responsibility in SATCOM terminal system development, sustainment, or operations

• Experience in the control, planning, provisioning, and execution of MILSATCOM and DoD-leased commercial SATCOM missions

• Demonstrated ability to perform systems engineering, test and evaluation in one or more of the following MILSATCOM terminal systems: Modernization of Enterprise Terminals (MET), Frequency and Time Division Multiple Access (FDMA / TDMA) modems, baseband, or DoD Information Network (DoDIN) backhaul connectivity.

• Insight and understanding of Wideband Payload SATCOM operations and missions/customers/users involved with the programs

• Demonstrated technical skills of SATCOM ground communications and control systems engineering. 

• Active Top Secret security clearance and ability to obtain and maintain access to Sensitive Information (SCI), which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

• Willingness to travel locally to DISA in Fort Meade, MD., approx. 20%

• Ability to support 24/7 operations in support of anomalies and to accommodate a flexible schedule including occasional weekends and overtime

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced degree in engineering, other technical sciences or equivalent experience

• Extensive experience of increasing responsibility in SATCOM enterprise or terminal systems development, sustainment, and operations

• Demonstrated experience in cybersecurity (DoD Risk Management Framework) or network operations as they apply to SATCOM systems

• Program management, product support management, or chief engineer experience for major MILSATCOM programs

• Experience supporting MILSATCOM and data transport operations and management with USSPACECOM, DEL 8, DISA, or the 53 SOPS

• Experience with enterprise terminal and DoD Teleport operations

• Experience with terminal, ground and baseband system anomaly resolution processes and root cause investigations

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 various 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 employer. 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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.