Gateway Communications Hardware Systems Engineer
Hiring Locations:
California
2310 E. El Segundo Blvd., El Segundo, CA 90245
200 S. Los Robles Ave. Suite 150, Pasadena, CA 91101
Vandenberg Space Force Base
806 13th St. Bldg. 7015, Vandenberg SFB, CA 93437
Utah
Hill Air Force Base
6002 Wardleigh Rd Bldg. 1578, Ste. 200, Hill AFB, UT 84056
Colorado
7250 Getting Heights Colorado Springs, CO 80916
18300 E. Crested Butte Avenue (STOP 49), Buckley SFB, CO 80011
Peterson SPACE Force Base
150 Vandenberg St., Suite 1105, Peterson SFB, CO 80914
New Mexico
2155 Louisiana Blvd. #5000, Albuquerque, NM 87110
2301 Buena Vista Dr. SE, Ste 1100, Albuquerque, NM 87106
Kirtland Air Force Base
3548 Aberdeen Ave SE Bldg 413/Rm 118, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117
Texas
2525 Bay Area Boulevard, Ste. 600 Houston, TX 77058
2101 NASA Road One Johnson Space Center M/C NQ112 Houston, TX 77058
Nebraska
Offutt Air Force Base
101 Nelson Dr. Offutt AFB, NE 68113
Alabama
5030 Bradford Drive, Building 1 Suite 220, Huntsville, Alabama 35805
Ohio
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
4180 Watson Way Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433
Florida
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
15385 Samuel C Phillips Parkway Building 44410, Room 1060, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Maryland
7850 Walker Drive, Suite 300 Patriot Business Park, Greenbelt, MD 20770
1335 East-West Highway SSMC1 6200 Silver Spring, MD 20910
4231 Suitland Road #1225 Suitland, Maryland 20746
Virginia
14745 Lee Road, Chantilly, VA 20151
4851 Stonecroft Blvd, Chantilly, VA
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 Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments.
Within the Houston site, the Human Exploration and Space Flight (HESF) Division supports our NASA customer in all aspects of human space flight. We are looking for a Communications Hardware Systems Engineer (Project Engineer/Senior Project Engineer – Communication Systems Engineering) to support the development of the Gateway lunar space station. In this role, you will support the NASA Johnson Space Center with systems engineering and integration services and work with the Gateway Avionics team to manage test and verification, and requirements validation activities for the Communications subsystem for this spacecraft in support of all Artemis missions. You will be responsible for providing technical expertise and leadership in the design, development, and execution of tests for radio frequency devices and systems, ensuring they meet performance specs, analyzing data, troubleshooting issues, and creating test procedures, involving wireless protocols like CCSDS. You will also provide operational support during missions and will be responsible for ensuring reliable communication between the spacecraft and ground systems throughout its lifecycle, including launch, on-orbit operations, and landing.
The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, TX.
What You’ll Be Doing
Develop and execute tests of RF devices and systems, including signal analysis devices like VNAs and analyzing data to troubleshoot issues
Perform/Oversee integrated analysis and testing of spacecraft communications systems, hardware, and software in relation to other systems, operational environment, and required capabilities
Review and assess communication requirements and Verification & Validation (V&V) plans for Communications System impacts, including integrated testing, analysis, and decomposition
Communicate spacecraft Communications subsystem architectures and assess impacts of changes to requirements, V&V, integrated testing, designs, and program decisions
Identify, communicate, track, and mitigate Communications subsystem risks
Lead and oversee component and subsystem-level trade studies to inform decision-making
Maintain productive working relationships with cross-program technical teams, including engineering, safety, flight operations, crew office, and module providers
Present to appropriate boards, panels, or technical/status meetings as needed
What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements for the Project Engineer – Communication Systems Engineering:
Bachelor’s degree in engineering discipline
6 or more years of experience with communications hardware systems, including design and testing tools
Expertise in communications hardware testing, integration, and environmental testing protocols
Experience working with various space-to-ground communications protocols, such as CCSDS
Familiarity with avionic system safety, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and fault tolerance analysis
Working knowledge of NASA standard practices and requirements
Experience with NASA flight operations and procedures
Willing to travel domestically as needed
In addition to the requirements above, the minimum requirements for the Senior Project Engineer – Communication Systems Engineering are:
10 or more years of experience with communications hardware systems, including design and testing tools
Knowledge of complex Communication Systems Integration and Test & Verification (T&V)
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
Advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in Aerospace Engineering or closely related field
Expertise in building on NASA Human Spaceflight topics and safety matters
Experience with spacecraft communications systems in both a testing and operational scenario
We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.
(Min – Max)
$117,300.00 – $226,900.00
Pay Basis: Annual
Leadership Competencies
Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:
Operate Strategically
Lead Change
Engage with Impact
Foster Innovation
Deliver Results
Ways We Reward Our Employees
During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.
Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:
Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
Flexible spending accounts
Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
Relocation assistance
Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
Education assistance programs
An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect
We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.
