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 Electronics and Sensors Division (ESD) is a world-class engineering and scientific leader in electronics and remote sensing systems. Our staff includes subject matter experts  (SMEs) across a broad range of disciplines including radio frequency (RF); infrared; visible and spectral sensors; sensor exploitation methods; analog and digital electronics; vehicle power systems; and space system electronic parts, materials, and processes. Our expertise, combined with sophisticated in-house laboratories, prototyping, modeling, and simulation capabilities, enables ESD to deliver innovative solutions to national space systems and civil customers. 

The Electronics and Power Systems Department within ESD is part of Aerospace’s National Engineering and Technology Group (ETG) with work locations across the United States.   This career opportunity is with the Western Range Directorate (WRD), which 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 WRD space launch engineering and operations team provides assessments of ground infrastructure and facilities at the launch site. You will also assess launch vehicle systems processing and readiness to support the launch of national security space (NSS) missions.

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 WRD Systems Director for Launch Engineering & Operations.

Work Model: This is a  fullt-time position based at Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB), California, offering a hybrid work model that combines 4 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business

What You’ll Be Doing

• Collaborate with the Space Force and internal Aerospace customers to implement the NSS launch mission assurance assessments and other tasks associated with NSS 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 follow-on 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 exercises in support of customer training and crew proficiency requirements.
• Independently research and verify subsystem requirements to assure proper documentation and implement