Launch Vehicle 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.

Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, development planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape the future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including US Space Force, U.S Space Command, Air Force Materiel 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. DSG also assists 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 Vulcan Development and Operations (VDO) Launch Vehicle Systems Engineer (Senior Project Engineer - Systems Engineering) acts as a senior technical authority, consultant, primary investigator, and team leader in evaluating launch vehicle systems in support of National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions. You will primarily provide direct support to the Aerospace Vulcan Chief Engineer (CE) in ensuring the effective execution of the Aerospace launch verification processes. You will lead and organize interactions between the customer (Space Force/OSL), Aerospace technical staff, and contractors, and will coordinate large-scale multidisciplinary activities to support recurring operations and non-recurring design validation activities for the Vulcan launch vehicle program.

Work Model

• This position is full-time based in El Segundo, CA which requires 100% onsite work at the Los Angeles Air Force Base.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide systems engineering for a broad range of technical and launch operation activities

• Coordinate multi-disciplinary engineering teams to ensure that launch vehicle designs, analysis, testing, and documentation are compliant with Space Force requirements

• Directly interface and engage with contractors / subcontractors and maintain cognizance of activities required to ensure a flight-worthy system for launch processing and flight readiness activities

• Provide support to ensure the Chief Engineer Review Board (ChERB) and Aerospace launch readiness verification processes are effectively applied

• Participate in Vulcan launch campaigns and launch rehearsals as the Aerospace Systems Engineer and lead walkdown teams during launch campaigns

• Coordinate the completion of Vulcan Aerospace post-flight reviews and lead program office and Engineering & Technology Group (ETG) resources to assess impacts of flight data anomalies to other NSSL missions

• Build and maintain close working relationships with the Aerospace team, Space Force counterparts, contractors, and representatives from other government agencies

• Prepare reports, briefings, updates, and documents, as needed in support of program activities and Aerospace processes

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• B.S in engineering or related field

• 10 or more years of experience in systems engineering or related engineering fields with increasing responsibility

• Familiarity with systems engineering and/or technical project management

• Experience with and knowledge of launch vehicle systems design, development, test, and operations

• Experience coordinating and/or participating in multi-disciplinary technical efforts

• Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems, forge well-founded technical recommendations, and balance technical and programmatic perspectives

• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate (verbal and written) and integrate solutions across engineering disciplines and various teams

• Willingness to travel occasionally to domestic customer sites or launch sites approximately 20% of the time

• A current DOD Secret Clearance or