Sr. SPACECENT Theater Support 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 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 part of the Space Enterprise and Warfighting Division, our Space Warfighting Directorate provides high-quality analytic support to the USSF Space Component Field Commands. This position serves as the Aerospace point of contact (POC) and integration leader for SPACECENT (USSF Space Component to US Central Command), located at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL.

Aerospace is seeking an experienced subject matter expert (SME) and highly motivated Sr. SPACECENT Theater Support Engineer to coordinate large-scale technical efforts across program/project lines in support of engineering, development, planning, analysis, exercises, test and execution of space operations at CENTCOM headquarters and in theater. The candidate must provide experience-based technical expertise on space capabilities and theater space operations to support Combatant Command and Service Component strategic and operational planning, as well as identification and transition of innovative concepts and capabilities to create warfighting impact.

This position requires full-time, on-site work in classified government facilities at SPACECENT HQ located at MacDill AFB in Tampa, FL.

Periodic travel within the USCENTCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR) will occur as part of the cadence of job performance.

What You'll Be Doing

• Serve as Aerospace's senior technical authority and integration leader for SPACECENT leading and coordinating quick-turnaround space-related studies and analyses that leverage the Aerospace backplane from Los Angeles, Colorado Springs, and other corporate locations.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams of technical contributors and establish effective partnerships with USSPACECOM, USSF organizations, and operational space partners to shape theater space employment plans in support of the integrated joint fight.
• Identify issues, prioritize tasks, facilitate communications, and act as spokesperson for working groups to Aerospace management and government customers.
• Scope requirements for technical support from Aerospace corporate resources, monitor and assist in budget development, and manage resource allocations to accomplish tasks.
• Act as senior mentor to team members, providing technical guidance and development insight, while leading new projects and technical planning efforts to expand Aerospace's support to theater commanders.
• Provide in-depth technical knowledge and domain expertise on integrated, multi-domain, system-of-systems capabilities in the USSF portfolio to support SPACECENT operations.
• Serve as principal technical representative to customers, coordinating multiple concurrent projects including Space Operations Center development, common connectivity requirements, crisis operations alternatives, commercial SATCOM integration, and RFI interference mitigation.
• Support planning and execution of space operations in theater/command/component exercises and wargames, while advising staff on tactical space operations and operational processes.
• Coordinate large-scale technical efforts across program/project lines, leveraging ETG expertise to lead concept exploration and program definition studies for USSF capabilities supporting USCENTCOM space missions.
• Advocate for theater space requirements, evaluate future space system capabilities, and assist staff in defining space capability needs to support warfighting plans and objectives.
• Network and collaborate across USSF, other services, government agencies, FFRDCs, UARCs, and SETA contractors to bring in tasks and projects from internal and external sources addressing emerging customer needs.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Sr. Project Engineer - Technical Project Management:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or other technical sciences from a recognized institution.
• 12 or more years of progressively responsible relevant technical or operational experience in space systems, space operations, theater/joint military operations, systems integration, or combined experience in multiple areas.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate large-scale technical efforts.
• Functional awareness/working technical knowledge of USSF warfighting capabilities and operations.
• Experience with operations of space systems and/or command and control in a joint warfighting environment.
• Understanding of theater space interaction within JADC2, CSpOC, and NSDC.
• Background in tactical and operational Space Electromagnetic Warfare operations.
• Proven ability to serve as integration leader for technical teams and act as spokesperson to senior management and customers.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and familiarity with Department of Defense (DoD) acronyms and jargon.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers at all levels.
• Widely recognized internally and externally by peers, management, program offices, and customers.
• Proven ability to network, build, and work within diverse, multi-disciplinary teams.
• This position requires a current SSBI and (or be immediately eligible for) a Top-Secret SCI clearance and access, issued by the US government. US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally within the CENTCOM AOR.

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Master's degree in science, mathematics, or engineering discipline.
• Active-Duty Military experience; US Space Force, US Navy, US Air Force, or US Special Operations Forces is preferable.
• Experience in CENTCOM or other Area of Responsibility operations.
• Experience with/understanding of CENTCOM component organization and capabilities.
• Experience in or with Joint Staff and/or US Combatant Commander's Strategic and Operational planning processes.
• Deep technical experience with one or more specific USSF capability areas.
• Experience and understanding of the USSF approach to warfighting.
• Knowledge of man-made threats to space domain.
• Knowledge of and experience with Aerospace's ETG capabilities.
• Experience working large, complex issues and the ability to break down problems into meaningful steps to accomplish with a team.
• Track record of mentoring and developing junior technical staff.
• Current applicable SAP/SAR accesses.

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)
$151,300.00 - $226,900.00

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