C3S 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.

Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within NASA, NOAA, and the NNSA, while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors.

The Civil Systems Group Operational Programs (OP) team has responsibility for the mission success of multi-agency operational satellite programs where NASA has responsibility for mission system development and integration.  These programs are Low Earth Orbit (LEO), GEO Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS), and Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES). Their mission systems integrate spacecraft bus(es), instrument suites, ground stations, command, control and data processing systems, and operations and engineering staff distributed worldwide. The success of these highly integrated systems demands a rigorous, disciplined mission systems engineering approach that harmonizes system development, procurement practices, systems integration, operations readiness, and transition from development to operations. Aerospace’s role is to serve as trusted members of multi-agency, multi-contractor development, integration, and/or operations teams to drive mission success. This position fills the role of C3S Systems Engineer (Project Engineer – Systems Engineering) for the LEO Ground Project.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time on-site at customer facilities in Greenbelt, MD and Suitland, MD.

What You’ll Be Doing

- Ensure the LEO Ground Common Ground System (CGS) is prepared to facilitate future domestic and international missions at the JPSS polar ground sites Support the planning and execution of CGS integration and test activities, including design validation, hardware and software integration, requirements and interface verification, and end-to-end testing of telemetry and command systems

- Work with Project and Systems Managers to identify complex technical challenges, develop, develop recommendations, follow through with resolution
- Engage in multiple mission systems engineering activities, including mission architecture, concept studies and trades, requirements, design, integration, test, and verification.
- Coordinate extensively with mission stakeholders and Project staff, spacecraft, instrument, and ground vendors to drive systems engineering activities forward
- Team with NASA engineers, vendors, and the Aerospace Engineering and Technology Group (ETG) to identify and resolve technical risks
- Provide technical information and guidance to Aerospace ETG to support ongoing investigations and/or studies
- Share cross-cutting information with Aerospace and NASA staff across Project offices, and related Civil/DoD/IC space communities.

What You Need to be Successful- (Project Engineer – Systems Engineering)

Minimum Requirements:

- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in engineering, science, or equivalent STEM
- Discipline 6 or more years of progressively responsible professional experience and applicable direct experience with ground system command and telemetry hardware and/or software
- Proven knowledge and expertise in at least one core area of ground system engineering — requirements, design, development, interfaces, integration, test, operations.
- Proven capability to evaluate issues and solve problems from a systems perspective
- Experience with ground system integration
- Proven ability and motivation to work effectively and collaboratively with Government and Contractor personnel
- Self-sufficiency, initiative, and excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability and willingness to deploy to polar ground sites
- This position may require the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US 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(s) in engineering, physical science, or equivalent technical discipline
- Experience with NASA-developed or acquired spacecraft, instruments, and/or ground systems
- Knowledge and experience with NASA systems engineering principles and processes

- Knowledge and experience working with Aerospace ETG technical subject matter experts

- Demonstrated ability to identify, prioritize, and resolve high-impact technical and/or program management issues
- Demonstrated effective leadership of collaborative technical teams composed of contributors from diverse sources, backgrounds, and locations

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)
$117,300.00 - $175,900.00

Pay 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 .