Chief Engineer - Defense Space Acquisition

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.

Defense Space Acquisition ( DSA) Operation leads the corporation's efforts in space and ground acquisition support to Space Systems Command to outpace the threat design, development, and operations of game-changing warfighting capabilities. We further look to strengthen the corporation's ability to integrate across the many customer organizations to enable our nation's preeminent space enterprise .

Defense Systems Acquisition (DSA) organization serves as the technical and programmatic advisor to the United States Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) for acquiring , developing, and fielding capabilities for the United States Space Command and joint warfighter as well as to maintain America's comprehensive military advantage in space.

As the DSA Chief Engineer, you will lead Aerospace's cross divisional work in identifying critical needs in working to make the operation successful , to bring to bear relevant and emerging technical approaches and strategies that will maximize acquisition outcomes for our broad range of customers.

You will work closely with senior USSF customers, contractors, Aerospace staff and management, and subject matter experts to identify and address mission needs and follow through on opportunities to maintain cost, schedule, and performance.

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

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the identification and coordination of common technical approaches and positions across the enterprise for the space segment

• Strengthen the commercial first approach to our offerings

• Lead the evolution of SPO mission assurance practices for greater efficiency, effectiveness, and agility. Coordinate with launch, ground and other space segment efforts across the corporation, as well as Engineering Technology Group (ETG) and Corporate Chief Engineer's Office (CCEO) to ensure identification and promulgation of best practices

• Identify and champion opportunities to promote enterprise integration and interoperability such as data standards across all domains, and increased commonality and principles of CPA

• Monitoring and guiding the successful deployment of digital engineering solutions for acquisitions

• Identify the need for and lead cross programs teams in multiple functional areas

• Recommend and guide the DSA/DSG internal investments to position the organization to meet strategic goals

• Champion and guide the workforce transition from traditional waterfall acquisitions to agile methods, and DevSecOps approaches for both software and hardware

• Represent the organization's interests to the prime contractor industrial base and influence the community to meet emerging customer needs

• Lead engagements in Aerospace technical community outreach events, via paper presentation and panel participation

• Mentor more junior personnel, identifying growth opportunities and providing coaching

What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements Principal Engineer - Enterprise Systems Engineering:

• Bachelor's degree in an appropriate technical discipline from a recognized institution

• 15 or more years of progressively responsible experience in an appropriate discipline - track record of outstanding accomplishments

• Superior communication skills, both verbal and written with an ability to work with entry level staff to seniors in the Space Force and the industrial base and all levels in between

• Proven ability to prepare and present effective presentations to all levels of audiences, within DSG and other Aerospace organizations

• Ability to effectively engage a diverse technical organization's SMEs and close on complicated technical issues with credible rationale and supporting documentation

• Capacity to team and collaborate with DSG leadership and project engineers across the corporation

• Capability to synthesize complex information from several sources simultaneously

• Aptitude to create teams across the group, and influence actions in multiple program lines

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

• AI enabled skills

• Current and Active Top Secret/SCI clearance, issued by the US Government. SAP highly desirable

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

• Advanced relevant degree

• Diverse background across multiple disciplines such as systems engineering, software engineering, acquisition lifecycle activities

• Successful experience supporting a space and launch program s

• Proficiency in understanding and executing various Aerospace Mission Assurance process

• Ability to create teams across the group, and influence actions in multiple program lines

• SAP Clearance

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)
$185,200.00 - $277,800.00

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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal .