Systems Engineer - Space Futures Integration

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, developmental planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape future space missions across the national security space enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including Air Force Space Command, U.S. Strategic Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers but also horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation.

Aerospace provides technical advice, thought leadership, and systems engineering support to the Space Force. The organization this role supports is building and evolving the service’s activities to ideate and design the Objective Force using modern digital environments and enterprise architecture models. In addition to directly supporting senior Space Force leadership, Aerospace also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with government customers but also horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation.

This position is for a Systems Engineer - Space Futures Integration (Project Engineer – Enterprise Systems Engineering) with a start-up mentality. We’re looking for teammates who can wear different hats on different days as we build a new program for an emerging mission set. At times, the selected candidate may find themselves leading a team of technical staff to define questions, conduct systems engineering and modeling, execute analyses, and develop prototypes alongside the Government in support of the services’ future-oriented activities. The Systems Engineer will work with a growing futures support team and reach across Aerospace for technical support to provide valuable expertise on a number of enterprise systems engineering, concept development, and wargaming projects.

Work Model

This is a full-time, on-site position located in Arlington, VA in Aerospace offices.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead and direct technical teams supporting Space Force future concept and force design activities.
• Identify gaps and opportunities, propose and implement solutions to improve the effectiveness, coherence, and technical depth of future concept and force design work.
• Collaborate and function effectively in an onsite environment with the customer and work with senior Government leaders, the various Aerospace program offices, and the Aerospace Engineering and Technical Group (ETG) to address technical and programmatic issues and provide the customer with the best available technical analyses and recommendations.
• Develop, foster, and maintain relationships with field and headquarters offices across the United States Space Force (USSF)
• Be positioned to help address the breadth and depth of Space Force systems engineering and integration challenges and issues, build end-to-end processes and models, and lead data infrastructure development activities
• Deliver results on time-sensitive staff inquiries and provide technical support and assistance with official responses to Congress, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, HQ Space Force and the Intelligence Community (IC).

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements Project Engineer – Enterprise Systems Engineering:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, science, or other related technical discipline
• 6 years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including multi-disciplinary systems engineering and/or program management environments
• Familiarity with/knowledge of the USSF or national security space enterprise
• Possess excellent interpersonal skills and adept at oral and written communication
• Willing to travel domestically on occasion when required by the customer (approx. <20%)
• Exceptional time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects
• This position requires a current Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance, which is issued by the US government. US 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 engineering, mathematics, science, or other related technical discipline
• Exposure to and/or substantive knowledge of the breadth and depth of the USSF or national security space enterprise.
• Deep technical expertise in one or more USSF mission areas
• Demonstrated examples of innovative and entrepreneurial solutioning
• Demonstrated experience briefing senior Government leaders (General Officer and/or SES)
• Possess a thorough understanding of the roles played by the Office of the Secretary of Defense; the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force; the United States Space Force, U.S. Space Command; the space system program offices; the defense agencies; the Joint Staff; and other government organizations in the acquisition, management, and operation of the national security space enterprise

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)

$117,300.00 - $175,900.00Pay 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.