Narrowband Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test Lead - Multiple Teams

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 Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers’ portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

The Aerospace Narrowband Systems program office supports the acquisition, design, development, fielding, and operations for the DoD’s UHF Narrowband military communications mission, which provides warfighters with all-weather communications. With MUOS achieving full operational capability in 2019, the program office is embarking on an exciting and challenging competition to build two new satellites to extend the current MUOS mission into the 2030s. Opportunities await to play a major role in the integration of the Service Life Extension (SLE) satellites into operational space and ground segments while providing improvements for the warfighter.

The Narrowband (NB) Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test (SEIT) Lead will be responsible for providing leadership in a broad range of engineering, technical, and programmatic activities associated with system engineering, integration, operations and sustainment for communication programs within the Narrowband SATCOM Division (SSC/NX), with a primary focus on the successful integration of the SLE satellites into the MUOS system architecture.

This is a full-time position based in San Diego, CA offering a hybrid work model that combines 4 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as business needs allow. 

What You’ll Be Doing

• The primary customers of Aerospace’s Narrowband Systems group are the Narrowband Space and Engineering Branches of the US Space Force’s Narrowband SATCOM Division (SSC/NX)
• Aerospace’s Narrowband Systems group is the primary technical advisor to SSC/NX across the space and systems integration segments of the MUOS and MUOS SLE programs
• Provide technical recommendations to MUOS Program Office and serve as a technical counterpart to SSC/NX Chief Engineer
• Ensure the SLE satellites successfully integrate with the existing MUOS space and ground segments
• Help develop end-to-end System V&V and testing strategies to ensure successful integration of SLE including requirements development for test beds
• Participate as the primary Aerospace representative to program systems engineering and risk boards/working groups
• Provide leadership to system integration activities across program elements at different points in their lifecycle
• Support areas of the NX SEIT organization, as required, including System Analysis, Cybersecurity, Crypto, IV&V, Requirements, Reliability, and CONOPs

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Sr. Project Engineer – Systems and Systems Test Engineering:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, science, or STEM-related degree
• 12 or more years of applicable experience in the development or integration of space and/or ground systems.
• Previous experience with systems engineering, systems integration, and test and evaluation of a space program
• Experience working with Government and contractors on integrated product teams.
• Previous experience planning, leading and executing system test activities leading to space and/or ground system operational readiness and certification.
• Track record of leading technical reviews and producing/briefing results to customers 
• Ability to travel on a semi-regular basis
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communications, and team-building skills.
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, 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 engineering, mathematics or science.
• Experience with the systems engineering, design, development, integration, test and operations of complex systems 
• Familiarity with SatComm PNT programs
• Experience with Digital Engineering/Model-based Systems Engineering (DE/MBSE) in reducing risk to acquisition, integration, testing, V&V
• Knowledge of cybersecurity and/or cryptographic equipment / key management
• Active Top-Secret security clearance and ability to obtain access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).

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.