Sr. Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) Missile Warning, Tracking & Defense (MWTD) Ground Segment 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.

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 Material 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 and horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation.

As the Sr. Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) Missile Warning, Tracking & Defense (MWTD) Ground Segment Project Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in the transition to a new Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) MEO architecture. You”ll work directly with Epoch 1 and Epoch 2 space vehicle development contractors to ensure their ground segments meet requirements, achieve operational readiness, and integrate seamlessly into the enterprise OPIR ground architecture. You will provide both technical and programmatic support for the MEO MWTD program, including contractor oversight, requirements verification, enterprise integration activities, and planning for follow-on Epoch increments.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; or Chantilly, VA.

What You’ll Be Doing

Assist the Aerospace ground segment leader in engaging Government leaders, SETA contractors, development contractors, and Missile Warning/Tracking community partners to align MEO ground development and CONOPS with operational needs

Work directly with Epoch 1 and Epoch 2 space vehicle contractors to ensure their ground segment deliverables meet technical requirements, interface control documents (ICDs), and operational performance standards

Provide ground segment systems engineering support for requirements and ICD development and verification

Support ground segment communications architecture development, including data links, network design, and interface definitions between space vehicles, ground stations, and enterprise systems

Identify, initiate, and develop multidisciplinary support from appropriate technical resources

Evaluate contractor performance against cost, schedule, and technical metrics, and assess risk and trade-space analyses to enable timely delivery of capabilities while meeting mission objectives

Support execution of the program’s Digital Engineering strategy and integrate MBSE models with mission level modeling and simulation

Exemplify Aerospace corporate values of objectivity and integrity while serving as a trusted agent to our government customers

What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements for Sr. Project Engineer – Communication Systems & Systems Engineering – Acquisition:

Bachelor”s degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or related technical field

12 or more years of engineering/scientific experience in acquisition planning, analysis, and development of national security space systems

Experience with ground system architectures, including development, integration, test, operations, and contractor oversight

Experience with requirements verification, interface control documents, and system integration across multiple contractors or organizational boundaries

Familiarity with Digital Engineering concepts and Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE) tools

Ability to establish and maintain trusted relationships with government customers, SETA contractors, development contractors, and key stakeholders under minimal supervision

Demonstrated ability to work adaptively on multiple tasks to consistently deliver high-quality products under tight deadlines

Current TS/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Up to 10% travel

How You Can Stand Out

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

Advanced STEM degree

Strong understanding of Missile Warning (MW), Missile Tracking (MT), Missile Defense (MD), and Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) mission areas

Experience with operational NSS ground segments (antennas, networks, datacenters, communications, software)

Knowledge of prototype and Class C mission acquisition/assurance

MBSE model development experience

Direct experience working with space vehicle contractors on ground segment development, integration, and enterprise OPIR architecture implementation

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)

$166,400.00 – $249,600.00

Pay 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 [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.