Launch Vehicle 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.

Would you like to be part of a dynamic team of project engineers supporting the execution of National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions? In this position you will help lead a team of talented individuals to provide operational support to NSSL launches and evaluate the certification of launch systems in support of United States Space Force (USSF) programs.

The Launch Vehicle Systems Engineer role will provide technical leadership and apply launch vehicle systems engineering expertise to ensure the effective execution of the Aerospace launch verification processes through a range of activities to include Chief Engineer’s Review Boards (ChERB), non-recurring design validation (NRDV) assessments, and launch vehicle flight readiness verification through completion of tasks in the Launch Verification Matrix (LVM).

Depending on the demand for operational activities, this role may also support the Falcon Chief and Deputy Engineers responsible for the technical evaluation and flight certification of the SpaceX Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch systems. LSOD is a sub-division of the Aerospace Launch Systems Directorate, which is responsible for the successful execution of NSSL missions for the USSF and the National Reconnaissance Organization.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility at Los Angeles, AFB.

• Develop and coordinate ChERBs on complex issues between the seams of technical discipline owners or system analysts
• Coordinate critical milestone reviews to certify vehicles for flight (e.g., Aerospace Readiness Reviews, Aerospace President’s Review, Flight Readiness Reviews and launch site readiness)
• Offer technical and programmatic consultation and recommendations to the Falcon Chief Engineer, management and customers regarding issues and findings impacting launch
• Responsible for systems engineering tasks such as JIRA development and maintenance (e.g. managing tiger teams, Falcon Change tickets and Risk tickets)
• Prepare briefings and report certification and mission specific assessments for internal and external reviews as required
• Support the Falcon Chief and Deputy Engineers by…