Sr. Space RCO 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, 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 Materiel 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 Sr. Systems Engineer (SE) in the Responsive Space Branch within the Agile Acquisition Directorate (AAD) will support the program office acquiring a critical space system for the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO). The Space RCO is rapidly developing and fielding highly classified critical space capabilities for the space enterprise. The Sr. SE will actively participate in all phases of a system lifecycle to ensure an operationally dominant space capability is delivered at the speed of war fighting relevance.

This role will also be responsible for Aerospace reach-back and backplane activities.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at Kirtland Air Force Base.

• Support program reviews, design, development, test, and transition to operations efforts
• Act as principal technical representative directly supporting Program Manager (O-5)
• Understand and ensure implementation of requirements for system design, mission concept of operations, prototype and test, initial checkout, operations, and operational transition support
• Provide mission assurance and assist with integration efforts
• Witness critical test efforts, verifying procedures and plans are followed appropriately
• Support integration and test anomaly investigations, providing key expertise in protecting schedule, cost, and hardware
• Identify risk areas and mitigation efforts to meet mission objectives
• Represent SpRCO’s interest in Aerospace backplane communications
• Solicit and oversee subject matter experts from the Aerospace Engineering Technical Group (ETG) to employ their expertise on critical problems
• Work closely with members of a diverse team of military, government civilians, prime contractors, SE&I contractors, FFRDCs and National Laboratories

Minimum Requirements:

• BS degree in engineering, mathematics, or physical sciences is required or an equivalent combination of training and experience
• 12 or more years of progressively responsible experience in systems engineering, program management, or other technical fields.
• Demonstrated ability to form and lead teams
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly dynamic Program Office environment with a mix of government, FFRDC, and SETA personnel
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills; experience presenting and writing technical information
• Travel is required (10-25%)
• This position requires a current TS/SCI security clearance with SAP eligibility, which is issued by the US Government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Past demonstration…