Principal Engineer - Strategic Assessments, Studies, and Projects (SASP)

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.

Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within NASA, NOAA, and the NNSA, while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values and behaviors.

This is a full-time hybrid position located in either El Segundo, California, or Crystal City, Virginia. Requiring at least 3 days onsite.

What You’ll Be Doing

• ​Acts as principal authority on programmatic assessments, architecture assessments, business case analyses, analyses of alternatives, independent program assessments and technical evaluations in the SASP Division and enables program continuity from concept design through development, deployment and operation.  
• Provides leadership in systems engineering and programmatic assessments including leading special studies or charting special program or independent readiness reviews.
• Leads multidisciplinary teams of technical subject matter experts in the role of technical authority, consultant, primary investigator, or project manager/leader.
• Plans, leads or organizes technical efforts or assessment teams and is the key interface between customers, contractors, and Aerospace technical and management staff.  
• Works across organizational boundaries utilizing technical authority and leadership.  Interfaces regularly with customers senior leadership.
• Performs high-level programmatic work of major significance to the customer.
• Initiates cross program exchange of pertinent information and identifies high priority technical areas that need management attention.
• Develops advanced analytical techniques, concepts and/or design criteria.   
• Mentors less experienced members of the technical staff and serve as role model.
• Serves as the senior reviewer of all SASP products.
• May act as corporate spokesperson in industry-wide technical symposia or in government hearings.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in an appropriate technical STEM discipline
• 15 or more years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience
• Senior level experience in a systems engineering and/or program management environment
• Senior level Experience in systems engineering, risk assessment, cost modeling and analysis, independent cost and schedule estimating, and/or tradespace exploration studies
• Dependability, good interpersonal skills, and demonstrated ability to work on teams are essential
• Outstanding verbal and written communications skills are required
• Willing to travel domestically/internationally approx. 30 %
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced degree from an accredited program in an appropriate technical STEM discipline
• Knowledge of civil space missions and technologies, knowledge of development lifecycle, development requirements and guidelines (e.g., familiarity with NASA acquisitions)
• Experience directly interfacing with customers and delivering comprehensive assessment products
• Experience with the Aerospace Engineering Technology Group matrix and Aerospace program offices
• Relevant multidisciplinary experience (e.g., mission proposal development, spacecraft or launch vehicle concept design, integration & test, technology development, etc.)
• Current/ active TS/SCI

We offer a competitive compensation packa