Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global Project Leader

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, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers’ portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

Within DSG, the Defense Space Acquisition (DSA) organization assists the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems. The Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global Project Lead will report to the System Director of the Protected Tactical Space and Integration department within the Communication & Navigation Capabilities Division (CNCD) of DSA.

This Project Lead will work within an integrated program office of Space Force, Aerospace, and contractor personnel in support of Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global (PTS-G) system acquisition. In the role, you’ll apply engineering expertise in support of systems engineering, integration, and test strategies as the Aerospace Corp lead for a PTS-G contract, ensuring synchronization and integration of government, PATS contractors, and other strategic collaborators.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility at Los Angeles Air Force Base in CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading technical engagement with the PTS-G production contractor, which includes validation of Critical Design Review (CDR) sufficiency to proceed, oversight of the vehicle factory test program, and ground site acceptance testing
• Leading integration of Government Furnished Equipment (GFE), including mission planning and management tools, connectivity to the Department of War Information Network (DoWIN), and launch vehicle integration
• Coordinating and prioritizing work of the Aerospace team in support of the PTS-G contract
• Advising the customer on stakeholder engagement with system users, operators, certifiers, and other key organizations
• Providing insight to Aerospace leadership and the customer on risks, issues, opportunities and associated mitigation strategies and corrective actions
• Applying systems engineering, requirements, and test & validation standard methodologies to assist the customer in successful mission execution

What You Need to be Successful –

Minimum Requirements - Project Leader – Systems Engineering – Acquisition and Systems Engineering:

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or science from a recognized institution or a related STEM field
• Eight or more years of increasingly responsible related professional engineering/scientific experience
• Skills in performing risk and schedule assessments
• Ability to lead and communicate with diverse groups
• Capability to balance subject matter expert inputs with customer and vendor needs to inform the cost, schedule and performance trades
• Travel to contractor and vendor facilities as required
• This position requires active Secret clearance, which is issued by the US 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 technical degree in engineering, science, physics, or related field
• Experience in systems engineering, requirements development, and program acquisition
• Specific experience in satellite communication systems, payload, ground mission planning, and/or command and control systems
• Project management and experience, including demonstrated ability to perform system-level optimization trades between cost, schedule, performance, and risk
• MILSATCOM program office experience
• Familiarity with Aerospace culture and experience coordinating with Engineering & Technology Group (ETG)
• Active TS/SCI clearance or the ability to attain

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)

$120,800.00 - $181,100.00Pay 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.