Satellite Test 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.

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.

Job Description:

The Systems Engineering Subdivision (SED) serves as one of key technical advisors to the Intelligence Community and its mission partners involved in utilizing core systems engineering principles to aid the government in the design, creation, implementation, and integration of complex satellite systems. A key component is the collection and distribution of national and tactical intelligence, including electronics programs, advanced technologies, ground and communications, imagery programs, and systems engineering and launch. The System Integration and Test Office (SITO) within SED ensures appropriate testing, validation, and verification principles are applied to these systems. We utilize data and analysis to summarize and recommend solutions for effective test verification and validation. SITO is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within all the major Intelligence, Civil, and DoD agencies.

This position requires a 1-year commitment to supporting the Program Office and 100% in-person work in Chantilly, VA.

Responsibilities:

An essential element of determining space readiness is testing the whole system: satellite, and ground. As a test and evaluation engineer, you will have the opportunity to design test plans for both space and ground systems. You will devise tests that mimic operationally realistic scenarios, monitor system progress through test procedures, and assess whether systems are ready for launch. You will help develop tests for the insertion of new technologies or integration of systems into larger space architectures. Your work will be essential to verifying that military systems work as expected from both a technical and mission perspective. 

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide systems engineering and integration expertise for space missions. Missions may include missile warning, communications, weather, position/navigation, space domain awareness, launch, or others. 

• Support programs through developmental test and evaluation (DT&E) and operational test and evaluation (OT&E). 

• Understanding and assessing the full technical design being developed by the bus provider.

• Shepherding program office and ETG subject matter experts through definition, planning, and execution of AI&T activities

• Applying tailored mission assurance practices to identify high risk areas of the program.

• Leading non-conformance, anomaly, and major technical issue response teams

• Developing and maintaining strong, effective working relationships with customers, SETA personnel, and contractor counterparts

• Evaluate performance, execution risks, and make comprehensive recommendations to the Government.

• Review, evaluate, and assess program requirements, documents, plans, and other related artifacts for accuracy and consistency and compliance with Enterprise documentation.

• Coordinate with customer and other government entities for the integration of new and/or modified data types

• Assist the program office with preparation and coordination of delivery orders, task orders, requirements documents, briefings, and performance statements, as applicable.

• Monitor and track test events related to future software deliveries at factory and site.

• Review and evaluate the completeness of test plans and other test-related documentation and provide feedback to Government and the development contractors.

• Create, review, and track requests for services associated with division programs during enterprise test events.

• Develop, coordinate, and track baseline change requests for division programs during enterprise test events.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, or mathematics

• Excellent verbal communication skills - clear, concise, persuasive; builds consensus through speaking.

• Ability to work within