Launch Vehicle 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.

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 Material 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.

Would you like to be part of a dynamic team of project engineers supporting the execution of National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions? In this position you will help lead a team of talented individuals to provide operational support to NSSL launches and evaluate the certification of launch systems in support of United States Space Force (USSF) programs.

The Launch Vehicle Systems Engineer role will provide technical leadership and apply launch vehicle systems engineering expertise to ensure the effective execution of the Aerospace launch verification processes through a range of activities to include Chief Engineer’s Review Boards (ChERB), non-recurring design validation (NRDV) assessments, and launch vehicle flight readiness verification through completion of tasks in the Launch Verification Matrix (LVM). Depending on the demand for operational activities, this role may also support the Falcon Chief and Deputy Engineers responsible for the technical evaluation and flight certification of the SpaceX Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch systems. LSOD is a sub-division of the Aerospace Launch Systems Directorate, which is responsible for the successful execution of NSSL missions for the USSF and the National Reconnaissance Organization.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility at Los Angeles, AFB.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Develop and coordinate ChERBs on complex issues between the seams of technical discipline owners or system analysts
• Coordinate critical milestone reviews to certify vehicles for flight (e.g., Aerospace Readiness Reviews, Aerospace President’s Review, Flight Readiness Reviews and launch site readiness)
• Offer technical and programmatic consultation and recommendations to the Falcon Chief Engineer, management and customers regarding issues and findings impacting launch
• Responsible for systems engineering tasks such as JIRA development and maintenance (e.g. managing tiger teams, Falcon Change tickets and Risk tickets)
• Prepare briefings and report certification and mission specific assessments for internal and external reviews as required
• Support the Falcon Chief and Deputy Engineers by providing technical leadership and systems engineering expertise to ensure timely mission assurance task execution (e.g. ChERBs, NRDV assessments, and LVM tasks) to support the customer’s launch timelines

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for  Sr. Member of the Technical Staff - Systems and Mission Assurance Engineering:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or science from a recognized institution
• 5 or more years of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific experience
• Exposure to manufacturing and production issues related to launch system hardware
• Experience working with diverse and multidisciplinary teams to solve technical issues, especially as related to anomaly and failure investigations
• Willingness to travel domestically approximately 25%
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a DoD secret security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

In addition to the above, the requirements for the Project Engineer - Systems and Mission Assurance Engineering include:

• 8 or more years of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific experience
• Proven experience with manufacturing and production issues related to launch system hardware
• Proven experience leading diverse and multidisciplinary teams to solve technical issues, especially as related to anomaly and failure investigations

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Advanced degree in engineering or related field
• Proficiency in using the Jira and Confluence issue and project tracking software
• Knowledge and experience in the execution of Aerospace mission assurance processes
• Understanding of launch systems with an emphasis on the Falcon launch system
• Experience with systems engineering and verification of NSSL requirements
• Effective interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of customer and corporate staff

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)

$106,300.00 - $197,000.00Pay 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.