Space Cybersecurity 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.

Job Summary

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 Materiel 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. 

As a Space Cybersecurity Systems Engineer (Senior Project Engineer – Cyber Security Architecture) you will provide cybersecurity systems engineering support to the SSC Space Sensing Directorate Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) programs, in particular the Resilient Missile Warning & Tracking MEO Program.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at Aerospace or government facilities in El Segundo, CA, or Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, CO.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide the Government with systems security engineering and cybersecurity expertise as a member of the Aerospace Space Based Sensing Division (SBSD)

• Identify and recommend strategies for mitigation and/or removal of ground and space systems cybersecurity vulnerabilities

• Provide cybersecurity expertise in support of critical decision points and provide comprehensive assessments of system cyber security architecture, security events/activities and posture

• Review program documents to assess impacts and risks to system cyber security

• Participate in risk management activities to identify and evaluate cybersecurity risks and propose mitigations in accordance with security directives

• Support cyber test event execution by reviewing cybersecurity test procedures, ensuring test scope is appropriate for event requirements, participating in Test Readiness Review activities, and witnessing test events

• Participate in Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO) planning and implementation

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Space Cybersecurity Systems Engineer (Senior Project Engineer – Cyber Security Architecture):

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field is required

• Minimum of (12) years of related professional engineering/scientific experience with at least (8) years of current space cybersecurity systems engineering experience with national security space systems is required

• Knowledge of government cybersecurity policies, including Risk Management Framework (RMF)

• Expertise in supporting critical decision points and provide ground truth assessments of program security activities and security posture

• Experience in risk management activities to ensure cyber security risks are evaluated and mitigations applied in accordance with security directives

• Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site, domestically- approx. 10% amount (as required) 

• This position requires a current TS/SCI 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 in a STEM field is preferred

• Experience working on Space Systems Command (SSC) or other National Security Space systems