Mission Engineering Research and Operations Project Engineer/Senior Project 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 National Systems Group serves as the technical advisor to the Intelligence Community and its mission partners involved in the collection and distribution of national and tactical intelligence, including electronics programs, advanced technologies, ground and communications, imagery programs, and systems engineering and launch.
The Mission Engineering Research and Operations Support Engineer (Project Engineer/Senior Project Engineer – Flight Mechanics) will serve as a senior technical authority and team leader for critical mission engineering, space domain awareness, and spacecraft operations projects. This position acts as principal technical representative to customers, coordinates large-scale technical efforts across program/project lines, and leads or organizes interfaces between customers’ and Aerospace technical and management staff. The successful candidate will undertake major program segments, lead diverse technical teams, mentor less experienced staff, and demonstrate widely recognized expertise both internally and externally.
The selected candidate will be required to work full time, on-site at our facility in Chantilly, VA.
What You’ll Be Doing
Lead teams that oversee major program segments such as system-level architectural analysis, conceptual design of new vehicles or major payloads, or comprehensive mission architecture development
Serve as principal technical representative to customer, coordinating efforts on several concurrent projects or major multi-phase/multi-disciplinary initiatives
As Aerospace representative in customer or contractor environment, provide nondirective advice, accept action items, and coordinate pertinent budgets, tasks, and priorities
Lead/coordinate teams comprised of diversely skilled engineers servicing major portions of large projects or working across multiple projects
Interface regularly with customer and contractor program management as senior technical authority
What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements for the Project Engineer – Flight Mechanics
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Astrodynamics, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field with 6+ years relevant experience
Proficiency in one or more languages (Python, MATLAB, and multiple programming languages for complex software development)
Experience in specialized aerospace engineering tools (STK, GMAT, Orekit) and mission planning/analysis software
Demonstrated expertise in spacecraft operations, astrodynamics, orbital mechanics, and space mission design
Extensive experience with data pipeline architectures, distributed computing, and big data technologies
Advanced knowledge of spacecraft subsystems, systems engineering principles, and model-based systems engineering
Willing to travel approx. 10-15%
This position requires a current and active TS/SBI/SCI security clearance and polygraph, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Senior Project Engineer – Flight Mechanicsinclude:
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Astrodynamics, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field with 10+ years relevant experience
Proven track record developing innovative analytical techniques and breakthrough technical solutions
Expert proficiency in one of the following (Python, MATLAB, JAVA, C/C++, and/or other programming languages for complex software development)
Mastery of specialized aerospace engineering tools (STK, GMAT, Orekit) and mission planning/analysis software
Deep understanding of space situational awareness architectures, sensor fusion, and space traffic management
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
Masters or PhD degree in Aerospace Engineering, Astrodynamics, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field
Expert proficiency in multiple programming languages (Python, MATLAB, and multiple programming languages for complex software development)
10+ years of experience in relevant aerospace engineering or operations experience
Demonstrated experience leading major program segments or complex multi-disciplinary projects
Proven track record as principal technical representative to government customers and contractor teams
Extensive experience coordinating large-scale technical efforts across organizational boundaries
Experience leading diverse technical teams and interfacing with senior program management
Demonstrated ability to independently conduct long-range technical studies and drive strategic technical direction
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 – $249,600.00
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.
