Senior Resilient Payload Systems 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.

All roles require onsite presence a minimum of four days per week. Some roles may require five days onsite based on role responsibilities, business needs and manager discretion. Schedule flexibility may be available depending on the role and manager approval, including a 9/80 work schedule and compensatory time off (time off earned for hours worked beyond 40 per week) for eligible employees.





The National Systems Group serves as the technical advisor to the Intelligence Community (IC) 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 Advanced Technology Division, Survivability and Resilience Office (SRO) operates on the leading edge of developing the next generation of resilient capabilities for our IC customers and mission partners. Our focus is on R&D, technology maturation, risk reduction, end-to-end capability and effective integration to enable successful demonstrations and major system acquisitions. The office has cross-organizational reach across the Space Enterprise and manages varying mission assurance models tailored to meet customer acquisition approaches. 

We are looking for a Senior Project Engineer (Multi-Disciplinary Engineering) to provide Payload Systems Engineering support to a high-priority National Security Space System program.  In this position, you will be a key leader in the development of boundary-pushing space systems capabilities and their integration into the space enterprise. This includes technical leadership for maturation of critical technologies for payload design, development, and operation along with hardware/software development, integration, and testing.  You will coordinate Aerospace activities across multiple technical areas to support the development, manufacturing, integration, test, and evaluation of end-to-end system performance. 

This full-time position requires 100% onsite work in Chantilly, VA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide Aerospace technical leadership to the development and execution of a resilient space payload, including multi-segment testing, on-orbit performance, and systems engineering processes.
• Serve as a Payload Systems Engineer and lead a team of matrixed engineers dedicated to assuring the success of payload test units and subsequent design, build, integration, test and mission operations for the resilient space payload.
• Lead coordination of matrixed, cross-program Aerospace support to develop joint recommendations with program stakeholders and deliver impactful Aerospace products that advise government customers on payload risks and opportunities.
• Independently assess and identify risks during payload system development, integration and test activities and lead Aerospace subject matter experts to influence program decisions
• Support space vehicle launch system integration, on-orbit initialization, and operations activities
• Act as a senior mentor to team members, providing guidance to staff in both technical duties and program office responsibilities.

What You Need to be Successful:  Senior Project Engineer – Multi-Disciplinary Engineering

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or a related discipline
• 10 or more years of progressively more responsible experience
• Direct experience with satellite subsystem design, development, integration, test and/or on-orbit operations
• Experience coordinating and leading matrixed technical teams across multiple disciplines
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to apply Aerospace world class capabilities to program challenges and working collaboratively with customer, SETA and contractor personnel
• Ability to effectively use verbal, presentation and written communication skills to highlight Aerospace impacts to all levels of the customer and Aerospace organizations
• Willingness to travel to Aerospace and CONUS contractor facilities approximately once per month  
• This position requires a current and active TS/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:

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, science, mathematics, or a related discipline
• 12 or more years of experience with increasing responsibilities in subsystem design, development, integration, test and/or on-orbit operations
• Experience with microelectronics, RF performance, electro-mechanical systems, and electrical system modeling and testing
• Experience with space system mission assurance practices and standards tailoring
• Prior experience and familiarity with DoD, Space/Air Force and/or Intelligence Community resiliency initiatives

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)

$160,300.00 - $240,500.00Pay 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.