Mission Integration Project Leader

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.

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 Mission Integration & Mission Manifest Office Directorate within the Launch Systems Division is responsible for NSS spacecraft-launch vehicle integration, working across Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, Vulcan, and New Entrant launch vehicles.  We are seeking a Mission Integration Engineer (Project Leader – Systems and Mission Assurance Engineering) to provide technical support for NSS spacecraft-launch vehicle integration. The selected candidate will serve as the primary interface between launch vehicle and spacecraft program offices and their respective contractors for USSF and NRO spacecraft and will also provide technical support in creating mission sets for future multi-manifest missions and ensuring adequacy of Do-No-Harm assessments on those missions. The selected candidate must be able to work effectively with customer personnel at all levels, and establish and maintain excellent working relationships with contractor, customer and Aerospace personnel across multiple organizations.

Work Model

This position sits in El Segundo, CA, at LAAFB in the SSC/AATS Program Office, and is part of a customer-facing program office team.  Some telework will be acceptable, depending on customer support needs.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Manage and track mission verification activities leading up to Day of Launch.
• Work with spacecraft and launch vehicle programs to develop SV-LV interface requirements as well as appropriate verification approaches for incorporation into Interface Control Documents (ICDs)
• Support launch rehearsals and Day of Launch activities.
• Support multi-manifest spacecraft integration.
• Form and lead teams that work across functional organizations.
• Work with launch vehicle programs, ETG, and the launch sites to ensure launch systems meet all mission requirements.
• Establish effective working relationships with spacecraft programs and launch vehicle and space vehicle contractors.
• Work effectively with customer personnel at all levels.
• Mentor junior Space Force officers and help them develop into effective program managers.
• Prepare and present mission readiness briefings at major readiness reviews.
• Develop and incorporate mission integration requirements and strategy into program planning for future launch service acquisitions.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• BS degree in Engineering or Science required
• Six or more years of related experience
• Ability to travel
• Well-grounded in a variety of technical subject areas associated with spacecraft and launch vehicles
• Capability to lead teams of technologists to resolve multidisciplinary challenges
• Proven track record working with Space Force customers and leadership without direct involvement from Aerospace management
• History of assisting Space Force Leadership in decision-making processes
• Experience working with contractor personnel and across Aerospace organizations
• Ability to balance technical details and broader programmatic issues
• This position requires current Secret clearan