Ground Data Networks Engineer/Sr. Ground Data Networks 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, developmental planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape future space missions across the national security space enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including United States Space Force, United States Space Command, Air Force Material 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.

As part of the Aerospace Space Security Directorate, the Space Warfighting Analysis Office provides high-quality analytic and program management support to the United States Space Force (USSF) Space Warfighting Analysis Center (SWAC), advising the Government, and leading analyses on the future space and ground data transport network architectures, balancing design, performance, and resilience to win the next war. This position will support the USSF SWAC by performing systems engineering and architecture analysis on the next generation of ground data transport networks to support closing tactical kill chains.  This role requires working collaboratively in a multi-level classification environment with interagency, military, and civilian communities in the planning, conduct and interpretation of analysis to shape the force design of the future GDN architecture. 

Work Model

This position requires 100% onsite work in classified facilities in Colorado Springs, CO.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Advising the Space Warfighting Analysis Center (SWAC) leadership on technical and analytical approaches, force design, systems engineering, and development of future ground data network architectures.
• Developing analytic plans and defining analytic tasks needed to understand data transport and data network mission needs and refine force designs.
• Identifying Aerospace resources and expertise that can be brought to bear on tough customer problems. Develop an understanding of Aerospace analytic and engineering tools and capabilities relevant to the ground data network problem set.
• Translating SWAC Government leadership needs for engineering and analytical support into executable tasks and execution plans for Aerospace’s Engineering and Technology Group (ETG).
• Planning, assigning, and managing the workload of interdisciplinary teams to meet challenging customer requirements.
• Providing periodic execution reviews to Aerospace and customer senior management.
• Leading or participating in teams consisting of Govt, Aerospace, other Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) and Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) contractors conducting analysis of technology and capabilities and providing analytically backed recommendations.

What You Need to be Successful – Project Engineer, Enterprise Systems Engineering

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from a recognized institution in engineering, mathematics, or other technical sciences.
• 6 or more years of experience in ground data network operations, systems engineering, developing, or analyzing ground data networks.
• Familiarity with ground data networks, ground data routing, and ground data processing and storage mission areas.
• Familiarity with at least one of the following programs/agencies: DAF BN, BMC3, R2C2, NC3, CJADC2 and commercial ground data systems.
• Ability to independently work and thrive in a fast-paced & dynamic environment and to work complex problems.
• Proven ability to lead technical analyses. 
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Active Secret security clearance: eligible for Top Secret SCI and SAP/SAR clearances, which are issued by the US government. US Citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Ability for occasional travel.

In addition to the above, Senior Project Engineer – Enterprise Systems Engineering requires the following: