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.
Defense Space Acquisition (DSA)Operationleads the corporation’s effortsin space and ground acquisition support to Space Systems Command to outpace the threat design, development, and operations of game-changing warfighting capabilities.We further lookto strengthen the corporation’s ability to integrate across the many customer organizationsto enable our nation’s preeminent space enterprise
Defense Systems Acquisition (DSA) organization serves as the technical and programmatic advisor to the United States Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) foracquiring, developing, and fielding capabilities for the United States Space Command and joint warfighter as well as tomaintainAmerica’s comprehensive military advantage in space.
As the DSA Chief Engineer, you will lead Aerospace’s cross divisional work in identifyingcritical needs in working to make the operation successful,to bringto bearrelevant and emergingtechnical approaches andstrategiesthat will maximize acquisition outcomes for our broad range of customers.
You will work closely with senior USSF customers, contractors, Aerospace staff and management, and subject matter experts toidentifyand address mission needs and follow through on opportunities tomaintaincost, schedule, and performance.
The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA.
WhatYou’llBe Doing
Lead the identification and coordination of common technical approaches and positions across the enterprise for the space segment
Strengthen the commercial first approach to our offerings
Lead the evolution of SPO mission assurance practices for greater efficiency, effectiveness, and agility. Coordinate with launch,groundand other space segment efforts across the corporation, as well as Engineering Technology Group (ETG) and Corporate Chief Engineer's Office (CCEO) to ensure identification and promulgation of best practices
Identifyand champion opportunities to promote enterprise integration and interoperability such as data standards across all domains, and increased commonality and principles of CPA
Monitoring and guiding the successful deployment of digital engineering solutions for acquisitions
Identifythe need for and lead cross programs teams in multiple functional areas
Recommend and guide the DSA/DSGinternal investments to position the organization to meet strategic goals
Champion and guide the workforce transition from traditional waterfall acquisitions to agile methods, and DevSecOps approaches for both software and hardware
Represent the organization’s interests to the prime contractor industrial base and influence the community to meet emerging customer needs
Lead engagements in Aerospace technical community outreach events, via paper presentation and panel participation
Mentor more junior personnel,identifyinggrowth opportunities and providing coaching
What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements Principal Engineer - Enterprise Systems Engineering:
Bachelor's degree inan appropriate technicaldiscipline from a recognized institution
15 or more years of progressively responsible experience inan appropriate discipline–track recordof outstanding accomplishments
Superior communication skills, both verbal and written with an ability to work with entry level staff to seniors in the Space Force and the industrial base and all levels in between
Proven ability to prepare and present effective presentations to all levels of audiences, within DSG and other Aerospace organizations
Ability to effectively engage a diverse technical organization's SMEs and close on complicated technical issues with credible rationale and supporting documentation
Capacity to team and collaborate with DSG leadership and project engineers across the corporation
Capability to synthesize complex information from several sources simultaneously
Aptitude to create teams across the group, and influence actions in multiple program lines
This position requires the ability to obtain andmaintaina Top Secret/SCI clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship isrequiredto obtain a security clearance.
AI enabled skills
Current and Active Top Secret/SCI clearance, issued by the US Government. SAPhighlydesirable
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if youhaveone or more of these
Advanced relevant degree
Diverse background across multiple disciplines such as systems engineering, software engineering, acquisition lifecycle activities
Successful experience supportinga spaceand launchprograms
Proficiencyin understanding and executing variousAerospace Mission Assurance process
Ability to create teams across the group, and influence actions in multiple program lines
SAP 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)
$185,200.00 - $277,800.00Pay 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:
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
The Aerospace Corporation is a leading architect for the nation’s space programs, advancing capabilities that outpace threats to the country’s national security while nurturing innovative technologies to further a new era of space commercialization and exploration. Aerospace’s national workforce of more than 4,600 employees provides objective technical expertise and thought leadership to solve the hardest problems in space and assure mission success for space systems and space vehicles.
