Propulsion Systems Project Engineer

Propulsion Systems Project 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.

The 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 Material 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.

The Launch Systems, Operations, and Development team within the Launch Systems Division is seeking a well-qualified individual with demonstrated leadership and exceptional communication abilities. As a Propulsion Systems Project Engineer you will manage and provide leadership for a team of Program Office (PO) and Engineering & Technology Group (ETG) engineers to evaluate, certify, and provide mission assurance for propulsion systems used on the SpaceX's Falcon launch system and/or Blue Origin's New Glenn Launch system for National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions for the United States Space Force.

You will be responsible for ensuring ETG consistently provides technically sound and objective assessments along with recommendations to Aerospace and Space Force leadership within appropriate timelines and budget allocations for the purposes of launch vehicle certification and operational mission assurance. You will also be responsible for providing direction, mentoring, and developing the technical and functional capabilities of the PO and ETG teams while also building effective working relationships with the Space Force team, contractor counterparts (e.g. SpaceX, Blue Origin and their suppliers), and other interested parties (e.g. NRO and NASA).

The Propulsion Systems Project Engineer focuses on overall mission execution across the Falcon and/or New Glenn propulsion systems interfacing with Propulsion Engineering, Mechanical Systems, Stage Systems, Thermostructures, and Fluid Mechanics in the engineering matrix group that supports the program office. In addition, this position involves programmatic and technical leadership of the program office team, individual project engineers focused on Engines and Stage Propulsion Systems, to execute on NSSL missions on budget and on plan.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our offices at Los Angeles Air Force Base or Cape Canaveral, FL.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead activities related to analysis, design, development, evaluation, testing, certification, pedigree, mission assurance, fleet monitoring, and launch mission control of large launch vehicle motors, engines, and stage propulsion systems
• Manage Aerospace Engineering & Technology Group (ETG) technical studies that assure the integrity, reliability, performance, and compliance of large engines and propulsion systems
• Collaborate with other program office staff responsible for other aspects of launch systems (such as structures, GNC, avionics, systems, etc)
• Support management and systems…