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.
Directorate H (Dir-H) provides satellite vehicle and ground command, control, and communications (C3) support to multiple NRO SIGINT directorates. Dir-H is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer in SIGINT (Sr. Project Leader - Systems Engineering) to lead project teams in support of C3 systems. The purpose of the position is to establish and lead multiple simultaneous projects of Aerospace subject matter experts researching and assessing alternative acquisition, requirements, architecture, design, integration, verification, operations and/or process-related solutions for the customer.
Work Model
This position requires 100% on-site work in Chantilly, VA or Denver, CO.
What You'll Be Doing
- Provide systems engineering and project management on Aerospace studies to provide alternatives to acquisition, requirements, system architecture, system design, integration, verification & validation (IV&V), E2 (Tier 2-4) sustainment, and operations of critical national SIGINT asset development, operations and maintenance.
- Define, scope and lead multi-discipline Aerospace Engineering Matrix project teams (with broad range of technical skills including civils engineering, electrical systems, IT architects, enterprise systems engineering, etc.)
- Coordinate with Aerospace managers in establishing project teams in researching, analyzing and/or studying alternatives to enable customer to reduce sustainment costs and increase process efficiencies while maintaining the customer's baseline program commitments.
- Interface daily with and work side-by-side Customer, SETA, and Developer teams.
- Present project plans, status, and recommended solutions to management and customer forums;
- Assist customer in the development of acquisitions and/or task orders and contract evaluations.
What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements for the Sr. Project Leader - Systems Engineering:
- Bachelor's degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) or related technical field.
- Ten years of professional systems engineering and/or technical project management experience with increasing responsibilities.
- Experience in ground intelligence systems (i.e. acquisition, architecture, design, development, integration, sustainment, operations, etc.).
- Experience in leading technical teams;
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with customers;
- Willing to travel approximately 10% of time; up to 20% if located in Denver, CO.
- This position requires a current and active TS/SSBI/SCI security clearance and polygraph, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
- Experience in SIGINT operations, RF engineering, IT engineering, electrical engineering, civils engineering, or enterprise systems engineering.
- Demonstrated success in leading matrixed subject matter experts.
- Knowledge of NRO internal processes and procedures and ability to reduce execution timelines.
- Experience in leading geographically-dispersed project teams.
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)
$155,900 - $233,900
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.
Equal Opportunity Commitment
The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you're an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.
Top Skills
What We Do
The space enterprise has been transformed by rapid change and growth. New vehicles for national security space, a more rapid launch cadence, proliferated satellite constellations, the pursuit of interplanetary exploration, and thriving commercial ventures are changing the nature of the space industry. The Aerospace Corporation (Aerospace) is a leading architect for U.S. space programs, shaping efforts to outpace threats to our national security while cultivating the technologies needed to further this new era of space commercialization and exploration.
Aerospace works across the space enterprise in service of the public interest. In addition to supporting the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community, our customers include NASA, NOAA, numerous federal agencies, and commercial space — all of whom benefit from our deep technical knowledge. We only pursue business related to the space mission and complementary fields, operating as the nation’s trusted partner to solve the toughest challenges and develop reliable and innovative technologies.
Innovation in space occurs when people have the freedom to imagine and do. At Aerospace, we take pride in our readiness to solve some of the most complex challenges in the space enterprise.
Why Work With Us
We are a non-profit corporation chartered by the government to work on the hardest problems in space. We employ technical experts in every discipline of space-related science and engineering who touch every part of the US space program. Come join us as we make an impact bigger than ourselves.
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The Aerospace Corporation Teams
The Aerospace Corporation Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.