Missile Warning, Tracking, Defense - System of Systems Test 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.

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.

Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, development planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape the future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including US Space Force, U.S Space 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. DSG also assists the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

As a Missile Warning, Tracking, Defense System of Systems Test Engineer in the Space Based Sensing Division, you will provide system test support to the SSC Space Sensing Directorate Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) programs.

Work Model

This position has a hybrid work arrangement and based in El Segundo, CA or Aurora, CO. The position has an estimate of 3 days week of in-office work but depends on the needs of the customer.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide the Government with system test expertise and apply disciplined system test methods, processes, and tools to enable the effective system testing within the Missile Warning/Tracking/Defense Enterprise
• Participate in program status assessments and independent risk assessments that inform Government and Aerospace management of perceived system test issues and recommend courses of action
• Contribute to the Government’s oversight of and insight for contractor system test strategies and detailed planning for their system functional and performance testing for the ground, space, and combined ground-space capabilities
• Prepare briefings and reports to provide status and recommendations to the Government and Aerospace management on the technical assessments and analyses performed by Aerospace to support the system test process
• Interact regularly with Government teams, development contractors, and other collaborators across the Missile Warning/Tracking/Defense Enterprise
• Define critical system test decision points and milestones/events to ensure the successful transitioning of system capabilities from development to operations
• Contribute to the building of a MW/MT/MD enterprise test team to make an organizational/operational impact
• Support the recently established Missile Warning Integrated Test Force (ITF) activities related to the SSC Space Sensing Directorate programs

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field
• Minimum of 12 years of related professional engineering/scientific experience with at least 8 years of current space system test experience with national security space systems
• Significant involvement in and understanding of Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Missile Warning, Missile Tracking, Missile Defense mission areas
• Extensive experience with enterprise/system requirements and lower-level requirements that will support verification/sell-off of higher-level requirements
• Strong foundational background/expertise in MW/MD/MT test planning and execution and evaluation of operational suitability, effectiveness, and survivability
• This position requires a current Secret security clearance, which is issued by the US Government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Ability to obtain a TS/SCI security clearance
• Capability to travel (mainly California and Colorado)

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced degree in a