Space Cybersecurity 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.

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.

As a Space Cybersecurity Systems Engineer you will provide cybersecurity systems engineering support to the SSC Space Sensing Directorate Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) programs, in particular the Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) Program.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at Aerospace or government facilities in El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide comprehensive cybersecurity systems engineering support to government and contracted personnel in the areas of cyber security and cyber test.
• Engineer, implement and monitor security measures for the protection of computer systems, networks and information throughout the system development lifecycle.
• Review and design security architecture for next generation space mission ground systems and provide recommendations on security improvements to the system's baseline.
• Identify and define system security requirements and develop detailed cybersecurity designs that align with and complement mission objectives.
• Identify and recommend strategies for mitigation and/or removal of ground and space cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
• Participate in risk management activities to ensure cybersecurity vulnerabilities are evaluated and effective mitigations applied in accordance with security directives.
• Provide cybersecurity expertise in support of critical decision points and provide ground truth assessments of security events/activities and posture.
• Review cybersecurity test procedures for requirements satisfaction, including participation in Test Readiness Review activities and witnessing test events.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Senior Project Engineer – Cyber Security Architecture:

• Bachelor's degree in STEM or in Information Security/Technology, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Cybersecurity, or related subject area.
• 12 or more years of system security experience across multiple cybersecurity domains (applications security, defensive cyber operations, vulnerability analysis, reverse engineering, network security, embedded systems security) with proven track record of delivering mission-critical security solutions.
• Demonstrated experience leading cybersecurity teams and programs, with the ability to analyze complex problems and deliver effective solutions in high pressure environments that directly impact mission success.
• Experience defining and analyzing threat/vulnerability likelihood, coupled with mission impact, to determine risk.
• Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site approx. 20% of the time if…