Space Program Planning Principal 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.
Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, development planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape the future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including US Space Force, U.S Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers but also horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. DSG also assists the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.
Aerospace's support to SSC Planning and Programming (SSC/S8) is a unique opportunity to influence enterprise capability, architecture, performance, acquisition, and mission success. The hard decisions regarding allocation of scarce resources must be supported with clear understanding of the associated technical needs, impacts, and risks. Aerospace is uniquely positioned to assist SSC/S8 by leveraging our deep engagement across the entire SSC portfolio of programs.
Work Model
This position will follow an in-person work model with a minimum of 4 days per week of onsite work required in El Segundo, CA
What You'll Be Doing

• Assist the SSC/S8 team on topics across the entirety of the current and future SSC portfolio to:
  • Prioritize budget requests to align with complex warfighting, technical, programmatic, acquisition, and other needs
  • Evaluate risks and benefits of funding, or not funding, specific needs
  • Identify and champion opportunities to improve enterprise outcomes, or take acceptable risks in reallocating resources
  • Aid programs in developing strategies, plans, and alternatives
  • Develop budget programming products
  • Craft messaging related to actions, impacts, and risks
• Assist SSC/S8 in long-range (17-year) planning for SSC that maintains or expands capability beyond current acquisitions and projects future acquisition based on Force Design and CCMD needs
• Work with Aerospace leadership and program office support to:
  • Aid PEO teams in the development and messaging of POM inputs
  • Understand the maturing decisions in the SSC POM process
• Coordinate Aerospace's continuing development of PDST as the planning tool for S8 POM products and decision making

What You Need To Be Successful
Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in an appropriate technical discipline from a recognized institution
• 13 or more years of progressively responsible experience in space systems or launch systems development.
• Broad understanding of the capability goals and objectives of the SSC acquisition portfolio
• Appreciation of the complex interdependencies between systems to deliver warfighter capability
• Experience in aligning resources (funding, time, technology, political capital) to achieve outcomes (system delivery, approval to operate)
• Understanding the fundamentals of the multiple DoD acquisition processes (e.g., major defense acquisitions, software acquisition pathway, rapid prototyping, rapid fielding)
• Skill in writing, speaking, and crafting products to facilitate executive decision-making
• This position requires a TS/SCI clearance and the ability to obtain additional SAP accesses. US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of the following:

• Experience in Space, Ground, and Launch systems with fundamental understanding of how mission performance and capability is derived from architecture and design:
  • Ability to educate non-engineers on these relationships
• Experience in Force Design, Architecting, and Conceptual Design
• Experience in Program Management and Acquisition Planning
• Cross functional space program planning, systems engineering, kill chain analysis and developmental and operational testing
• Experience in multiple acquisition program offices
• Experience in Cost/Schedule Estimation and Risk Assessment
• Experience in Functional Availability and Reliability analysis related to system replenishment
• Proven capacity to identify a need; develop and mature solutions; and persuade others to adopt them
• Proven experience in bringing together disparate groups of program office and technology leaders to provide wholistic solutions

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)
$185,200 - $277,800
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.