RF and Launch Operations 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 National Systems Group (NSG) serves as the technical advisor to the Intelligence Community and its mission partners involved in the collection and distribution of national and tactical intelligence, including electronics programs, advanced technologies, ground and communications, imagery programs, and systems engineering and launch.

The NSG Launch Directorate provides direct technical support to the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Office of Space Launch (OSL) in the areas of Launch Systems and Launch Site Engineering, Mission Integration, Mission Assurance, and specialized testing. As the RF and Launch Operations Engineer (Project Engineer/Senior Project Engineer – RF Engineering), you will be part of an integrated government/contractor Operations Team and will perform mission specific technical verifications and advanced RF testing and analysis. Your focus will be on launch base processing of space vehicles, RF Shielding Effectiveness (SE) testing, and RF data analysis and interpretation.

This is a full-time position working onsite at a customer facility at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing technical support to a government/contractor team focused on mission execution and mission success
• Working shoulder-to-shoulder with Government, Industry, and SETA counterparts to advance and lead RF systems engineering activities, including requirements, design, test, analysis, and evaluation across multiple levels of maturity
• Performing RF shielding effectiveness test campaigns with advanced equipment
• Coordinating Aerospace resources to perform RF testing, analyze data, and generate technical reports
• Validating and verifying space vehicle to launch vehicle interface requirements
• Performing readiness assessments at key milestones in support of NRO missions
• Conducting day of launch on-console assessments of real-time technical data

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Project Engineer - RF Engineering:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a STEM field or equivalent
• A minimum of 6 years of engineering experience in electrical, mechanical, aerospace, or physics and mathematics disciplines
• Electrical engineering knowledge base suitable for RF-related work
• Ability to formulate tests to verify if technical requirements and specifications are being met
• Ability to work effectively as part of a government/contractor team
• Ability to assess a large variety of technical data and identify items of highest significance
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proactive approach to problem solving, ability to work with autonomy
• Willing to travel approx. 10% to perform test campaigns
• This position requires a current and active TS/SCI security clearance and polygraph, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Additional Requirements for Senior Project Engineering – RF Engineering:

• Minimum of 12 years of relevant technical experience
• Experience with launch vehicle or space vehicle design, analysis, test, or operations
• Solid understanding and experience with spacecraft processing systems including air & road transport, mechanical ground support equipment, radio frequency detection/protection, and/or environmental monitoring systems

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced degree from an accredited program in Electrical Engineering, Physics or STEM related discipline
• Experience with national security space systems characterization, testing, demonstration and operations
• Practical experience with RF system design or RF testing spanning laboratory characterization and field validation
• Experience with C++, TILE!, Python, or MATLAB

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)

$129,000.00 - $249,600.00Pay 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.