Space-to-Ground Systems Integration Engineer

Senior Mission Technical Specialist

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 Systems Engineering Division (SED) offers expertise in systems engineering to the U.S. government and various public and private agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, consortia, and commercial companies involved in the advanced development and application of space systems. From systems CONOPs and architecture development to system design and analysis, mission assurance, cost and schedule assessment, and economic market analysis, SED leverages a vast array of engineering and business disciplines across a diverse and dynamic portfolio of space programs and national challenges spanning the total space system lifecycle.

The Systems Integration and Test Office (SITO) creates and reviews system functional, performance, and operationally relevant test programs for internal and external customer space, ground, and user segment systems. Responsible for performing systems integration and test tasks related to mission and system threads, interface definition, technology insertion, and use of system integration tools and techniques. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Chantilly VA.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead end-to-end systems integration and test activities across space, ground, and user segments for satellite communication systems.
• Develop and execute comprehensive test plans, verification procedures, and validation approaches for mission-critical interfaces including space-to-ground, ground-to-user, and space-to-user architectures.
• Manage requirements verification and traceability from mission concept through operational transition. Flow down system requirements, maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and ensure verification coverage using engineering models, simulations, testbeds, and special test equipment throughout the development lifecycle.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary integration efforts by developing System Integration Plans (SIPs), System Test and Integration Plans (STIPs), and supporting Systems Engineering Plans (SEPs). Collaborate with spacecraft systems, flight software, ground software, and operations teams to ensure seamless end-to-end integration and mission success.
• Execute developmental and operational test campaigns including developmental testing (DT), operational testing (OT), and integrated test events. Analyze test results, identify anomalies, document findings, and provide technical recommendations to program leadership and government customers to support critical decision-making.
• Support modern development and deployment practices by implementing Agile and Dev Sec Ops  methodologies for space-to-ground system integration. Contribute to CI/CD pipeline development, automated testing frameworks, and cloud-based architecture integration in AWS, Azure, or GCP environments.
• Provide technical risk management and mission assurance support by identifying integration risks, developing mitigation strategies, conducting trade studies, and performing technical analysis to ensure systems meet mission objectives, performance requirements, and security standards.

What You Need to be Successful Minimum Requirements for Sr. MTS :

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or related technical field.
• 5 years of experience in Test and Evaluation (T&E), verification of space-to-ground or ground-to-user segment interface requirements including systems engineering, and/or operations of space systems, satellites, and/or ground systems infrastructure within the U.S. government agencies and/or aerospace industry.
• Direct experience with space systems (satellite development, ground station operations, mission operations, or space system integration).
• Understanding of space and/or ground system architecture and satellite operations including orbital mechanics, satellite subsystems (e.g., spacecraft bus, payload), ground system functions (command and control, telemetry and mission data processing, and space-to-ground (or ground-to-user) data links and protocols).
• Experience with systems (and/or system of systems) integration planning, execution, and test. In addition, familiarity with System Integration Plans (SIP), Systems Engineering Plans (SEP), and System Test and Integration Plans (STIP).
• Experience with the following: systems engineering tools (e.g., Cameo), test management software, simulation environments (STK, Simulink), or scripting languages…