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.
At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.
The National Systems Group serves as the technical advisor to the Intelligence Community and its mission partners involved in the collection and distribution of national and tactical intelligence, including electronics programs, advanced technologies, ground and communications, imagery programs, and systems engineering and launch.
We are looking for an Enterprise System Engineer (Project Engineer/Sr. Project Engineer – Modeling & Simulation and Signal & Image Processing) to provide on-site technical support for a major systems acquisition program within the Imagery Programs Division which supports the NRO GEOINT Directorate. This innovative program operates via a collaborative Integrated Product Team (IPT) structure, that employs agile processes to drive decision making down to the lowest levels while encouraging innovative ideas to deliver new capabilities faster. The Enterprise System Engineer will provide direct customer support on the development of a next generation Electro-Optical sensing system, including capability definition, concepts of operation, and applying activity-based intelligence concepts to develop technically sounds solutions that meet the end user needs.
Work Model:
This full-time position requires 100% on site work in Chantilly, VA
What You’ll Be Doing
- Perform key system-engineering & integration tasks integrating new capabilities into the next generation Electro-Optical architecture
- Perform trades across system design and technology options and present the results in a cohesive, meaningful way to support program decisions.
- Apply core engineering principles to execute performance analysis and mission utility assessments, and complete key system-engineering tasks to spearhead the delivery and integration with the next generation ground.
- Identify capability gaps and assist in resolution of technical interface issues between the program and the other Enterprise segments.
- Work with Aerospace subject matter experts to apply Modeling & Simulation results to shape mission thread CONOPs and validate mission utility.
What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements for the Project Engineer – Modeling & Simulation and Signal & Image Processing position:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Science or equivalent
- At least 7 years of progressively more responsible engineering experience.
- Ability to perform trades across multiple systems and technology options
- Experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Satellite Imagery Processing
- Collection & sensor modeling, including Tasking & Scheduling CONOPs
- Agile software development practices
- System characterization planning and execution
- This position requires a current and active TS/SCI security clearance and polygraph, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
- Ability to travel approximately one week every 2 months
In addition to the above, the Sr. Project Engineer – Modeling & Simulation and Signal & Image Processing position requires:
- At least 11 years of progressively more responsible engineering experience.
- Ability to perform complex mission system engineering & integration investigations for end-to-end data-driven sensor systems
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
- An advanced degree in Engineering/Science or equivalent
- Background in Systems Engineering and experience with agile development practices
- Experience working with the NRO and/or NGA systems architecture
- Experience evolving & delivering end-to-end mission thread capabilities
- Adept with Confluence and Jira in managing acquisition efforts
- Knowledge of or experience with Aerospace Modeling & Simulation tools (e.g. SOAP, PICs, BLine, SKI, SEAS) or commercial analytical tools (e.g. MATLab, Advanced EXCEL, ACCESS, Tableau, Python, SQL, R).
- Experience doing Orbital analysis including access metrics, analyzing trade spaces, and mission design
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 diverse 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/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. 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 ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.
