On-Orbit Test and Ops Technical Lead

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.

As the Aerospace On-Orbit Test and Ops Technical Lead in the Special Programs Division, Space Domain Superiority Directorate, you will serve as the Aerospace On-Orbit Test and Ops lead technical advisor to the SYD89/SYM government team. This role will shepherd multiple space vehicles through launch, LEOPs, on-orbit test, and operations; and will work with stakeholders across the national security space enterprise on a rapidly growing top priority program within the Space Combat Power portfolio.  You will provide technical leadership to the program driving developmental and operational testing (DT/OT) from initial planning through fielding decisions and operational acceptance (FD/OA), and supporting post-operational acceptance activities such as development of tactics, test, and procedures (TTP).  This role emphasizes operational transition, test documentation development, and bridging acquisition, test, and operations communities.  You will work with stakeholders across the national security space enterprise including operational commands, test agencies, and development contractors.  Eventually this position will be split into separate Test and Ops positions.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Be the El Segundo based acquisition program point-of-presence for the national on-orbit test and ops team, which includes other government, UARC, and SETA organizations

• Serve as the Aerospace technical lead for on-orbit test and evaluation (T&E) and operations, advising program leadership and operational stakeholders on test requirements, fielding decision and operational acceptance (FD/OA) criteria, and best practices for transitioning space systems to operational employment
• Provide strategic insight to Aerospace leadership and the customer on on-orbit test- and ops-related risks, issues, gaps, and opportunities; recommending mitigation strategies and corrective actions to support progression towards operational acceptance milestones
• Support execution of integration DT/OT efforts across five test venues: modeling & simulation, space, ground, software, and cyber segments, with an emphasis on operational test planning, on-orbit checkout, and transition to operational control
• Apply test and verification/validation (V&V) methodologies from terrestrial military systems and space domain best practices to support customer development of acquisition documents, test strategies, and operational transition plans
• Support development of critical test documentation including Test and Evaluation Master Plans (TEMPs), General Test Objectives (GTOs), Specific Test Objectives (STOs), test procedures, and test reports; and operational products including CONOPs, CONEMPs, TTPs, and training materials in coordination with the Lead Development Test Organization (LDTO) & Operational Test Organization (OTO)

• Design and facilitate tabletop exercises (TTXs) with stakeholders to develop and validate operational concepts, procedures, and employment scenarios prior to on-orbit operations

• Assess system and architecture trades across space, ground, and cyber segments for impacts on test strategy, requirement verification, operational suitability, and fielding timeline
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships across acquisition, test, and operations communities including customer program leadership, operational commands, operational test agencies, and SETA/UARC/FFRDC partners, development contractors, Aerospace ETG and other program office support organizations
• Lead the Aerospace team in the execution of the test and operations responsibilities of the acquisition program office, to include the coordination of subject matter experts and the integration of inputs to provide corporate and customer leadership with technical advice
• Support anomaly resolution and provide technical guidance during LEOPs and on-orbit operations

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA

What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements for Sr. Project Engineer – Systems Test Engineering: 

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant Engineering, Math, or Science subject area
• 12 or more years of engineering experience supporting space vehicle or space payload development projects 

• Proven track record of leading integrated, geographically dispersed, multidisciplinary, multi-organizational teams and interfacing effectively with senior government leadership
• Strong background in systems engineering, test, and evaluation, and operational transition with experience supporting military and/or space systems through fielding decisions and operational acceptance
• Familiarity with Space Force organizational structure, space operations concepts, and operational test processes
• Experience authoring test documentation including TEMPs, GTOs, STOs, test plans, and test reports for major acquisition programs
• This position requires a current and active Top Secret/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government; U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.  This position requires the ability to obtain Special Access Program (SAP) clearances.
• Willingness to travel 10-20% of the time

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

• Experience with non-space military systems developmental and operational test, including formal OT execution and interaction with operational test agencies
• Experience supporting military systems through fielding decisions and operational acceptance, including preparation of FD/OA packages and briefings
• Experience designing and facilitating tabletop exercises (TTXs), wargames, or operational concept development activities
• Experience with space systems on-orbit test planning and execution, including on-orbit checkout and operational transition
• Prior military experience as an operator, crew member, or mission controller
• Previous military acquisition program office experience working with multi-disciplinary teams
• Understanding of the Adaptive/Agile Mission Assurance approaches and application to space systems
• Formal training in test and evaluation (DAU T&E courses, service test schools, ITEA certification, etc.)
• Positive attitude, ability to remain calm under pressure, and skill in speaking truth to power in a constructive, non-confrontational manner
• Proven ability to lead through virtual collaboration with geographically dispersed teams in high-pressure environments with evolving priorities
• Previous experience working in SAP/SAR environments/programs.

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.