Space Data Network Payload Systems 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, 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 Material 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.

The Advanced Systems and Integration team within DSG is responsible for systems engineering oversight, technical requirements development, and management of the technical execution for the Space Data Network (SDN) program’s Enterprise Space Terminal (EST) laser communications development effort.  We are seeking an innovative electro-optic Space Data Network Payload Systems Engineer with a strong background in spacecraft and payload interface development, including mechanical, electrical, and software elements of electro-optic payload and host platform interfaces.  This unique position will serve as a key member of the EST payload engineering team and will collaborate with SDN program counterparts as well as external stakeholders.  This position is for a technical and acquisition role within an integrated program office of USSF military and civilians, Aerospace, and SE&I contractors.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA.    

What You’ll Be Doing

• Serve as the EST program’s lead electro-optic payload integrator to support the integration of laser communication payloads on SDN satellites and other government stakeholder systems.
• Advise the SDN government customer in developing, assessing, and evaluating compliance with key technical requirements.
• Lead a diverse team of technical experts within Aerospace ETG to manage and mitigate all technical risks that arise throughout the entire acquisition life cycle
• Ensure effective collaboration and communication across SDN, related Aerospace program offices and Aerospace ETG staff
• Establish and maintain the confidence and trust of the government customer

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Project Engineer – Electro-Optical and Payload Systems Engineering include:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, physical science or related technical degree.

• 8 or more years or more of engineering experience, including experience in a systems engineering and/or program management environment.
• Experience presenting results, concepts, and technical content to internal customers, external customers and stakeholders possessing diverse technical backgrounds
• Experience building and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships with internal and external organizations such as the government customer, Aerospace, contractors, or related stakeholders.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
• Willing to travel domestically (approximately 20%)  
• This position requires a Top Secret/SSBI/SCI security clearance to interview, with the ability to obtain and maintain additional security clearances, which are issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for Senior Project Engineer – Electro-Optical and Payload Systems Engineering include:

• 12 or more years or more of engineering experience, including experience in a systems engineering and/or program management environment.
• A proven abi