Commercial LEO Development Program (CLDP) Integrated Systems Test & Validation/Systems Engineering & Integration (SE&I) Senior Project 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.

Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within NASA, NOAA, and the NNSA, while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors. 

Human Exploration and Spaceflight (HESF) Division in CSG is the company subject matter experts for human spaceflight.  HESF supports NASA and its bold human exploration missions from the NASA Headquarters mission directorates to the Moon to Mars office down to every Artemis Program in operation.  We also support the International Space Station (ISS), Commercial LEO Development Program, Commercial Crew Program, and Human Health and Performance.  HESF support spans from architecture and mission design to technology development, requirements and design reviews, and finally to verification, safety, and on orbit operational reviews and concurrences. 

The Commercial LEO Development Program (CLDP) Integrated Systems Test & Validation/Systems Engineering & Integration (SE&I) Engineer (Senior Project Engineer-Systems Engineering) will work closely with the SE&I Office and Vehicle Office Managers, particularly focusing on operations-related products. The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating documentation, supporting program reviews, identifying process improvements, and maintaining SE&I product schedules. 

Work Model:

This is a full-time position based at Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX, which requires 100% onsite work.

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Develop and maintain SE&I product schedules to support key program milestones and ensure timely delivery of products. 
• Offer senior-level integration systems test and validation (T&V) support, including detailed planning and execution. 
• Develop detailed approaches for alternate standards adjudication, including T&V panel approaches, creating charters, detailed work instructions, and evaluating waivers, deviations, and exceptions. 
• Support the evaluation of testing and verification approaches to ensure they meet program requirements and standards. 
• Develop and coordinate documentation change packages, ensuring thorough stakeholder review and organizing technical interchange meetings for resolving technical issues. 
• Provide comprehensive support for program office reviews, including preparing review materials and summarizing outcomes. 
• Identify opportunities for program process improvements based on hands-on experience and provide actionable recommendations. 

What You Need to be Successful 

Minimum Requirements:  

• Bachelor’s degree in systems engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field. Advanced degree preferred 
• 10 or more years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including multi-disciplinary systems engineering and/or program management environments
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in systems engineering and integration within the aerospace industry 
• Strong understanding of systems engineering processes, including test and validation (T&V) methods and practices. 
• Excellent project management skills, with experience in developing and maintaining schedules 
• Proven ability to identify process improvements and provide effective recommendations 
• Demonstrated experience in developing and coordinating documentation change packages and technical issue resolution. 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to coordinate and collaborate with various stakeholders and teams 
• Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to accuracy and quality 
• Ability to work in a quick-paced, small core team that leads technical discussions across a large technical community and influences teams across the NASA enterprise  
• Initiative and demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers  
• Excellent teaming and leadership skills with an ability to multi-task across various issues/disciplines simultaneously  
• Excellent presentation and communications skills, including development of and briefing of decision packages and complex information in a succinct and polished manner 
• Experience working across diverse teams and many different engineering disciplines  
• This position may require the ability to obtain and maintain a security 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 STEM degree
• Experience with NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program or similar aerospace programs 
• Familiarity with NASA’s Systems Engineering & Integration processes and standards 
• Ten years of experience with NASA spacecraft systems  
• Experience performing or leading technical and programmatic tasks for NASA  

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
• A 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.