Sr. System of Systems Integration Engineer - Missile Warning, Tracking, Defense

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.

As a System of Systems Integration Engineer - Missile Warning, Tracking, Defense (Senior Project Engineer - Systems Engineering - Acquisition and Systems Engineering), you will provide system integration support to the SSC Space Sensing Directorate Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) programs.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at Aerospace or government facilities in El Segundo, CA, or Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, CO.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide the government with system integration (space-ground) expertise for the SN OPIR Programs
• Participate in program status assessments and independent risk assessments that inform government and Aerospace management of perceived technical problems and recommend courses of action
• Contribute to the government’s oversight of and insight for contractor system integration strategies and detailed planning for their system functional and performance testing for the ground, space, and combined ground-space capabilities
• Represent Aerospace in program meetings and technical forums such as design reviews, technical interchanges, and program management reviews
• Prepare briefings and reports to provide status and recommendations to the government and Aerospace management on the technical assessments and analyses performed by Aerospace to support the integration process
• Interact regularly with government teams, development contractors, and other collaborators across the Missile Warning/Tracking/Defense Enterprise
• Develop with the government a mission integration plan and roadmap for the multi-segment delivery of missile warning capabilities and performance to transition to operations

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for System of Systems Integration Engineer - Missile Warning, Tracking, Defense (Senior Project Engineer - Systems Engineering - Acquisition and Systems Engineering):

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field is required
• 12 or more years of related professional engineering/scientific experience with at least (8) years of current space system integration experience with national security space systems is required
• Applied disciplined system integration methods, processes, and tools to identify, assess and enable the resolution of technical disconnects in the successful integration of ground and space segments
• Delivered ground development technical support for integrating, testing, and transitioning the space assets to their ground systems
• Defined critical system integration decision points and milestones/events to ensure the successful transitioning of system capabilities from development to operations
• Recommended integration requirements for digital engineering models and simulations at the system level
• Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site, domestically- approx. 10% amount (as required)
• This position requires 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 degree in a STEM field is preferred
• Significant involvement in and understanding of Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Missile Warning, Missile Tracking, Missile Defense Mission Areas
• Knowledge of Digital Engineering concepts and Model Based Systems Engineering tools and techniques
• Demonstrated capability to work in a highly dynamic program office environment with a mix of government, FFRDC and SETA personnel
• A current and active TS/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government is strongly preferred. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

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)

$151,300.00 - $226,900.00Pay 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.