Space Vehicle Systems Lead

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 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 Survivability and Resilience Office (SRO) of the Advanced Technology Division offers broadening opportunities to make a lasting impact on mission success in a rapidly evolving mission area that requires end-to-end integration of space and ground architectures, cross-organizational reach, has varying mission assurance and acquisition approaches, and spans R&D to major system acquisition. SRO is looking for a Space Vehicle Systems Lead (Project Leader - Multi-Disciplinary Engineering) to be a key leader in the development of boundary-pushing space systems capabilities and their integration into the space enterprise. This includes technical leadership for maturation of critical technologies as well as for space vehicle design, development, and operation along with hardware/software development, integration, and testing.

Work Model

This is a full-time position based in Chantilly, VA which requires 100% onsite work.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Working shoulder-to-shoulder within Aerospace and with the Government team to identify and mitigate risks associated with space vehicle engineering activities

• Leading the Aerospace activities on a wide variety of multidisciplinary space vehicle acquisition, design, manufacture, integration, and test activities including design reviews, test events, and performance evaluations across multiple levels of scope and maturity

• Providing systems engineering leadership on cross-segment integration and testing for both space and ground elements

• Guiding the development and maturation of technologies and capabilities needed for next generation resilient space vehicles and pursuing new opportunities for Aerospace prototyping and technology risk reduction activities

• Building and leading Aerospace matrix engineer teams of subject matter experts to assess and guide new developments or solve emerging problems in critical technology areas

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Project Leader – Multi-Disciplinary Engineering

• Bachelor’s degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics or a related discipline

• Typically, six (6) or more years of professional engineering experience with increasing responsibilities

• Experience with satellite systems design, development, integration, test, and/or on-orbit operations

• Demonstrated ability to work in teams as a leader and contributor with strong interpersonal skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to travel domestically approximately once a month on average.

• This position requires a current and active TS/SCI SSBI security clearance and polygraph, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

• Ability to obtain additional security accesses.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Experience with the technology maturation lifecycle for space systems and/or in developing advanced technology demonstrations and transitioning them to operational systems

• Demonstrated deep subject matter expertise in one or more technical disciplines integral to the development of satellite hardware and/or software

• Advanced degree in a science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), or related discipline

• Demonstrated familiarity with the full systems engineering lifecycle

• Demonstrated experience coordinating and leading technical teams

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 cult