In an era of dynamic change in space, Aerospace is addressing a generation of complex challenges. We operate the only federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) committed exclusively to the space enterprise. Our technical experts span every discipline of space-related science and engineering. Join our team and thrive in a career that matters to the world and you personally.

You will partner with the Government to ensure mission success of the Space Force Development Corps to develop, acquire and deploy Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) space assets that defend against, defeat, and deter aggressive adversary behavior in space. As the Next Generation OPIR Block 0 mission payload performance analyst, your primary responsibilities will be to provide leadership and oversight of the analysis associated with mission payload performance. You will be a critical resource in the discovery and implementation of SMC 2.0 and acceleration of assets to orbit. 

The selected candidate will demonstrate the following qualities:

• Initiative to lead space systems projects to fruition through requirements development, design development, fabrication, assembly, test, and verification
• Aptitude to proactively identify technical and programmatic risks, strategically plan for their mitigation, and lead teams to successful issue or assessment resolution
• Ability to work cooperatively in a team or group environment as a leader and/or member, effectively communicating and coordinating with other members including customer, contractor, and consultants
• Ability to foster positive and collaborative working relationships with Next Gen GEO and Polar prime contractors and mission payload suppliers
• Ability to build and effectively lead multi-disciplinary teams of Aerospace, customer, and contractor personnel to timely and successfully resolve complex issues
• Excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills both written and oral, and strong briefing proficiency

Key Functions

• Support Aerospace OPIR Payload Systems Director with assessment of mission payload performance of Next Gen GEO and Polar mission payloads
• Support Government decision making process by supplying sound, coordinated, and easily understood technical information
• Actively maintain and enhance positive customer relationships with the Space Force Next Gen GEO and Polar government military, civil personnel, and contractors while providing support that exceeds customer expectation
• Provide technical leadership to program office and Aerospace Engineering  & Technology Group (ETG)] teams to develop timely high-quality technical products that emphasize technical rigor and accountability in the area of mission payload performance assessments. This activity will require team building skills for maximum effectiveness
• Work closely with contractors on requirements, capability, and risk trades with respect to mission payload performance.  Present findings and recommendations to the Space Force customer.
• Proactively and regularly communicate with management and customer regarding mission payload performance status, issues, and risks.  This includes weekly reports and watch lists
• Participate in program status assessments and independent risk assessments that inform management of perceived technical issues and recommend mitigation plans to ensure mission payload performance
• Assessments will encompass:

  o    Review of contractor mission payload performance predictions

o    Verification of mission payload supplier assessment approach and requirement compliance
o    Evaluation of space-based IR payload sensitivity as a function of the sensor’s optical, thermal, and focal plane characteristics
o    Evaluation of the ability of OPIR payloads to detect targets moving against clutter backgrounds with different types of clouds and solar geometries.  This includes understanding and implementation of the signal processing algorithms used by the payload providers
o    Evaluation of radiometric and line-of-sight measurement accuracies as well as the ability of the payloads to resolve closely spaced objects

Qualifications

Required 

• Bachelor's Degree in applied mathematics, physics, or engineering fields
• 8 or more years of applicable experience for PE 
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with customers, contractors, other FFRDC and SETA personnel
• Ability to leverage matrixed organization and coordinate multidisciplinary technical teams formed to solve complex problems
• Ability to effectively present technical material to senior DoD and other US government officials
• Active Secret security clearance with ability to obtain Top Secret/SCI 
• Some travel is required
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills

Required for Sr Project Engineer 

• Bachelor's Degree in applied mathematics, physics, or engineering fields
• 12 or more years of applicable experience for senior PE  
• Demonstrated ability to maintain effective working relationships with customers, contractors, other FFRDC and SETA personnel
• Experience leveraging matrixed organization and coordinating multidisciplinary technical teams formed to solve complex problems
• Experience interacting with contractors and suppliers to inform independent assessments
• Experience presenting technical material to senior DoD and other US government officials
• Experience interfacing with government customer on regular basis including providing technical awareness and assistance with technical strategies related to mission payload performance
• Active Secret security clearance with ability to obtain Top Secret/SCI 
• Some travel is required
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills

Preferred 

• Advanced degree in applied mathematics, physics, or engineering fields is preferred
• Direct experience with the design, analysis, and testing of OPIR payloads
• Experience with OPIR mission payloads and mission area
• Active Top Secret/SCI security clearance

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide all the details of our industry-leading benefits and career development opportunities. A few highlights include:

• A work environment built on teamwork, flexibility and respect
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career, as well as tuition reimbursement
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans for your entire family
• Flextime and virtual work options (if applicable)
• 401(k) Savings Plan featuring a company match, regardless of whether you contribute
• Paid holidays and paid time off
• Flexible spending accounts
• Relocation assistance (if applicable)

We are all unique, from diverse 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/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. 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 The Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law and the supplement, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.