Engineering Specialist/Sr. Engineering Specialist

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.

At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.

The space industry and acquisition practices are going through an exciting time of change. We are looking for a leader to strengthen our systems engineering capabilities to help our customers’ meet their mission challenges.   

The Systems Engineering Division (SED) provides unmatched experience in systems engineering to the U.S. government and to numerous public and private agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, consortia, and commercial companies involved in the advanced application of space technology. From systems architecture development to system analysis and optimization, astrodynamics, orbital debris, navigation, failure analysis, mission assurance, cost and schedule assessment, and economic market analysis, SED exploits an incredibly broad array of engineering and business disciplines against a diverse and dynamic portfolio of programs and national challenges.   

The Agile Systems Engineering, Planning and Analysis (ASEPA) Department concentrates on delivering strategic planning, acquisition, and systems engineering planning expertise and products to form a sound basis for space, ground, launch, and airborne system program acquisition lifecycle activities for the United States Space Force (USSF), Department of Energy (DOE), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Intelligence Community (IC) and other organizations.   

This position enables a hybrid work schedule which requires at least 3 days per week in an office depending on customer needs and requirements   

What You’ll Be Doing  

• Provide technical leadership in systems engineering to support requirements gathering, concept development, and analysis of alternatives   

• Guide the front-end systems engineering and integration functions that span a mission enterprise   

• Perform objective analysis of systems-of-systems, space, ground, launch, or Command and Control (C2) systems  

• Design solutions to complex problems by interfacing and collaborating with industry leaders and subject matter experts   

• Strengthen programs by performing independent program assessments   

• Improve acquisition and operational outcomes by developing innovative, fit-to-need program approaches with supporting analytical planning products 

• Balance and actively contribute to multiple work assignments   

What You Need to be Successful   

Minimum Requirements:   

Engineering Specialist   

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, or related technical discipline   

• 6 years relative experience

• Familiarity with systems engineering activities, to include system requirements and concept of operations development, architectural trade-offs, risk and opportunity identification, readiness review principles, integration and verification planning and execution   

• Familiarity with program management activities, to include program planning, budgeting, acquisition planning, and analyzing cost, schedule, and performance 

• Knowledge of systems-of-systems, space, ground, launch, or C2 systems  

• Ability to work in a proactive, self-motivated, and self-directed manner   

• Ability to develop project plans, contribute to high-impact work, and balance schedule commitments   

• Willing to travel as necessary for work assignments    

• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, as determined by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.   

Sr. Engineering Specialist   

• Master’s degree from an accredited program in engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, or related technical discipline   

• 12 years relative and progressive experience

• Demonstrated program management and systems engineering experience w