Project 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 Systems Engineering Division (SED) provides unmatched experience in systems engineering to the U.S. government and to numerous public and private agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, consortia, and commercial companies involved in the advanced application of space technology. From systems architecture development to system analysis and optimization, astrodynamics, orbital debris, navigation, failure analysis, mission assurance, cost and schedule assessment, and economic market analysis, SED exploits an incredibly broad array of engineering and business disciplines against a diverse and dynamic portfolio of programs and national challenges. 

The Systems Integration and Test Office (SITO), the place Aerospace goes for integration and test, is currently looking for a Senior Project Engineer in Aerospace locations supporting the National Capital Region. This position entails supporting programs executed in multiple regions, including but not limited to satellite programs, ground systems, small satellite experimentation, prototyping, and rapid acquisition; nuclear weapons design and acquisition; nuclear weapons security and non-proliferation.

The position will be managed out of SITO and tasked by the program office as a matrixed position. This will require the candidate to work collaboratively with acquisition and modernization program staff to fully leverage the Aerospace Corporation's technical capabilities in all relevant areas to best support the program office. This construct links to applicant to the engineering expertise in Aerospace while directly supporting the customer.

SITO is the Aerospace Engineering Technology Group (ETG) source of expertise in Systems Integration - including technology insertion, and system engineering applied to operationally realistic tests. SITO staff support all program phases from pre-contract assistance with concepts of operation, integration planning, system test planning, design and development activities followed by build, integration, verification, and transition to operations events. This position represents a significant career opportunity to grow the division tasking and be part of innovating solutions to customer challenges. 

WORK MODEL:

• This is a full-time position that requires 100% onsite work in one of the Aerospace locations in either Chantilly, VA, Crystal City, VA, Reston, VA, or Greenbelt, MD.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Support on site activities to support IC, DOE, and USSF customers engineering and space acquisition analysis, studies, coordinate project and study teams at Aerospace, and provide recommendations in the Northern Virginia region.
• Collaborate across the NRO and the Intelligence community to influence current and future investments in commercial technology and capabilities.
• Support selected activities to one of a number of customers to include the Space Systems Center, IC, NASA, and NNSA Office of Systems Engineering and Integration, NNSA weapons Life Extension Programs (LEPs) and other NNSA offices with system engineering and integration (SE&I) expertise.
• Serve as the integration leader and coordinator for program offices, organize interfaces between customers' and Aerospace technical and management staff, and develop and managing customer support plans to maximize mission satisfaction.
• Coordinate with Government, SETA, and contractor teams to field highly classified critical systems.
• Identify opportunities, prioritize tasks, facilitate communication and act as the spokesperson to the customer for modeling support acquisitions that optimize the application and utility of commercial space systems inside the government’s architecture.
• Lead technical staff and matrixed technical resources to address a broad range of acquisition and technical topics.
• Develop and collect the latest in systems engineering practices, to include agile, Digital Engineering, enterprise performance, and proliferated constellations.
• Establish verifiable requirements for space systems and ensure the appropriate use of test as a verification and validation technique for programs during the requirements definition phase.
• Provide systems engineering and integration expertise in defining and developing a mission, organizational, physical, functional, signal, hardware/software, and operational interfaces
• Provide systems engineering and acquisition assistance with acquisition support to new programs, and updates to existing programs.
• Provide direct support to programs and corporate entities in the areas of integration reviews, studies related to integration, and failure investigation.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• BS degree in engineering, mathematics, or physical sciences is required or an equivalent combination of training and experience 
• 12 more years of progressively responsible experience in systems engineering or program management 
• Knowledge of space and space related systems
• Demonstrated ability to form and lead teams 
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly dynamic Program Office environment with a mix of government, FFRDC, and SETA personnel 
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills; experience presenting and writing technical information 
• Some travel is required
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI or Q 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:

• Advanced degree in technical discipline (engineering, science or math) 
• Systems Engineering experience with rapid operational systems
• An excellent personal technical reputation and a record of personal technical achievement
• Program office and management, independent review, or advisory board experience 
• Working knowledge of expertise from across the Aerospace corporation, especially subject matter experts and laboratory operations with the ability to support customer needs 
• Knowledge on MBSE and agile methodologies
• Active Special Access Programs and current TS/SCI or Q clearance is required for most positions

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 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.