Ground System Concept Engineer​/Senior Ground System Concept 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 Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities.

The Vehicle and Ground Concepts Department (VGCD) in EED provides space vehicle and ground system preliminary/conceptual design; trade and architecture analysis, modeling, process development and leadership expertise; and tool development in support of conceptual design activities across the space enterprise. As a member of VGCD, you will be designing innovative spacecraft and ground segment solutions to meet the most pressing mission needs of our US Space Force, Intelligence Community, NASA, NOAA, and commercial/international customers.

This position will follow an in‑person work model with a minimum of 4 days per week of onsite work required at Aerospace’s campus in Chantilly, VA.

• Lead and participate in architecture, concept, and preliminary design studies of ground systems, engaging with multi‑disciplinary engineering teams to support problem framing, gap analysis, trade space assessment, and concept exploration
• Work with technical experts across Aerospace to marshal expertise in multiple disciplines and domains, enabling concurrent engineering approaches that address complex problems
• Define system capabilities, system of systems interfaces, and requirements for space, ground, and intersegment system architectures to address user needs and perspectives
• Evaluate ground system design and architecture concepts and participate in design reviews
• Communicate task status, methods, results, and recommendations in briefings and formal technical reports
• Mentor early‑career members of the department while developing tools and models that support ground system concept design and analysis activities

Minimum Requirements for Engineering Specialist:
Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, science, or a related technical field Typically, at least 6 years of engineering experience in the space, intelligence, and/or defense domains Proficiency in system architecting, systems engineering, concept design, and/or model‑based systems engineering Demonstrated experience in ground system development, mission control, or mission processing for space systems Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present methods and results effectively in briefings, formal reports, and informal communications Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively within teams composed of members from organizations across Aerospace Exceptional time‑management skills and the ability to balance multiple concurrent project sand schedule commitments Available and willing to travel domestically and internationally approx.

5‑10% This position requires an active Top Secret/SCI security clearance issued by the U.S. government. U.S.…