Electrical Engineer, Vandenberg Launch Engineering & Operations

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 Western Range Directorate (WRD) provides critical mission assurance services and support to a broad range of customers that operate at Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB), to include the Air Force, Space Force, NRO, MDA, AFGSC and others. The space launch engineering and operations team provides assessments of ground infrastructure and facilities at the launch site. You will also assure launch vehicle systems are optimally processed and ready to support the launch of national security missions. You will join a collaborative team in a fast-paced environment to provide engineering expertise for launch vehicle, ground support equipment and facility systems while working with government customers, contractors, and others.

You will be responsible for systems engineering support of SpaceX Falcon and ULA Vulcan ground support equipment, and facility items, along with processing of launch vehicle avionics, electrical systems, guidance, navigation, and controls, etc., at Space Launch Complex (SLC)-4E, SLC-6 and SLC-3E.  You will report to the Western Range Directorate (RD) Systems Director for Launch Engineering & Operations.

Work Model:  This position has a hybrid work arrangement at VSFB, telecommuting one day per week is possible, depending on customer needs and schedules.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Collaborate with the Space Force and internal Aerospace customers to implement the NSSL mission assurance assessments and other tasks associated with launches from VSFB
• Assessments include procedure reviews, post-test data reviews, independent anomaly assessments, real-time test, and operations support to include problem identification and resolution as well as Day-of-Launch countdown and launch support

• Support checkout and requirements verification of launch site systems and operations, pre-launch ground support equipment (GSE) readiness, pre-launch critical GSE and flight hardware processing.  Major areas of responsibility include:
  • Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) and related software for command and control of ground and airborne systems,
  • Launch complex electrical power distribution, switching and redundancy/resilience,
  • RF and lightning protections systems, and
  • Related interfaces to and processing of flight electrical, avionics, RF and flight termination systems

• Witness, analyze, and provide technical assessments, including assessment of mission risk, if applicable, for launch base operational tests and/or data results and enter launch verification database comments, contribute to written reports, and prepare presentation materials in support of launch campaign readiness reviews
• Perform technical assessments of launch vehicle ground infrastructure systems upgrades, operations, and maintenance activities to support continuous/on-going assessment of readiness and certification of ground support equipment and facility items
• Assist with fleet surveillance of ground support equipment and facility items as well as launch vehicle operations (civil and commercial missions) and participate in day of launch training exercises
• Independently research and verify subsystem requirements to assure proper documentation and implementation

This position is available as a Level 2 Project Engineer or a Level 3 Senior Project Engineer.

What You Need to be Successful – Project Engineer

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace, Electrical or Computer Engineering or equivalent STEM field
• Eight or more years of relevant, applicable experience
• Experience working with multi-disciplinary technical teams
• Experience working in a collaborative environment with internal and external organizations
• Ability to identify and discern hazardous/emergency conditions in the workplace
• Ability to don emergency life-saving equipment and exiting safely from a hazardous and/or elevated work environment at the launch site or similar work areas
• Ability to acquire and main