Next Gen OPIR Polar Space Vehicle System 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 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 Next Gen OPIR  Polar program in the Space Based Sensing Division is actively participating in the building and fielding of next generation OPIR Space Vehicles for Polar (Molniya) orbits. The mission of the Next Gen Polar (NGP) constellation is to deliver end-to-end, resilient, missiles missile warning systems in for the northern hemisphere that outpace the threat. Our primary customer is the U.S. Space Force (USSF), and this position is prime contractor focused with a fast-paced tempo to address challenges head-on. We are looking for a driven, motivated  Next Gen OPIR Polar Space Vehicle System Engineer team member to perform technical support in a dynamic team environment. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time on-site at our facility in El Segundo CA and support the Space SE&I team in collaboration with the Prime Contractor facility in Redondo Beach CA.     What You’ll Be Doing The NG OPIR Polar SE&I team supports in addition to the Prime contractor space vehicle delivery, Initial Launch Capability (ILC)  and Operational Acceptance (OA) You will execute independent assessments of prime contractor activities and provide guidance to USSF customer personnel on space vehicle ability to meet TRD requirements,  Support system-level requirements verification and validation Assist in interface definition and control between subsystems Participate in integration and test activities Support technical documentation changes (ICDs, specifications, test procedures) Contribute to key reviews and technical meetings You will impact the mission area by actively engaging in strategic planning, collaborating with USSF, government contractors, and Aerospace SMEs to address challenges and deliver integrated operational capabilities Assist in risk identification and mitigation planning What You Need to be Successful Minimum Requirements for Project Engineer – Systems Engineering: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or other discipline 8 or more years of proven experience with evaluation of system engineering validation process, understanding of requirement sell off process, familiarity with major sub-systems requirements and capabilities Familiarity with systems engineering processes (requirements analysis, design, verification & validation) Basic understanding of spacecraft subsystems (power, thermal, propulsion, communications, etc.) Knowledge of integration and test procedures Understanding of configuration management principles Familiarity with modeling and simulation tools Familiarity with production challenges and risk management Willing to travel approx. 10% 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. In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Sr. Project Engineer – Systems Engineering include: 12 or more years of proven experience with evaluation of system engineering validation process, understanding of requirement sell off process, familiarity with major sub-systems requirements and capabilities Proven experience in space systems, background in a space environment Demonstrated relevant experiences with a Prime Contractor challenges, including risk management,  participate participation with in space vehicle  process thru ILC and OA. How You Can Stand Out It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: Master’s degree or higher in physics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or other discipline Proven history supporting the USSF customer Ability to collaborate across government and contractor teams Record of advising US Government customer at critical decision milestones (technical and/or schedule), including performing risk assessments. Participation in and leading of System Engineers from ETG Current Secret level clearance, addition of SCI preferred 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 - $226,900.00 Pay Basis: Annua