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.
Job Summary
The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly-trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; orbital mechanics; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments.
The Vehicle Engineering Department (VED) is part of the Vehicle Systems Division, the premier satellite and launch vehicle technical organization within the Aerospace Corporation. The
Engineering Specialist/ Senior Engineering Specialist- Multi-Disciplinary Engineering should have outstanding technical skills and the ability to assist the management team with expansion of our customer base. S/He will work within the Vehicle Actualization section, responsible for Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) for multiple spacecraft programs, multi-disciplinary project management, and generalist spacecraft hardware engineering with a holistic focus on vehicle interfaces. In this position you will act as technical authority, lead interfaces between customers' and Aerospace technical staff, and assist the management team with business development.
Work Model
This is a full-time position nominally based in Chantilly, VA offering a hybrid work model that combines (4) regular onsite workdays. This role will require access to an Aerospace SCIF on a regular basis and offer remote flexibility as the business needs allow.
What You’ll Be Doing
- You will provide spacecraft engineering support to multiple programs in AI&T, project management, and generalist spacecraft engineering
- S/He will oversee multidisciplinary system-level acquisition, design, manufacture, integration and test activities for space vehicles and vehicle interfaces to launch vehicle and ground systems
- Provide technical leadership in identifying, mitigating, and solving applicable satellite and subsystem risks and issues
- You will provide project management of Vehicle Engineering’s support to the East Coast Labs and the Vehicle Autonomy Lab (VAL)
- Leading and coordinating ETG technical teams to participate in internal research and development and technology transition projects in support of national security space customers
- Develop and maintain strong, effective working relationships with internal and external customers and contractor counterparts
- Generate and deliver written reports, risk assessments, recommendations, and presentations to the customer and Aerospace management
- Assist the Vehicle Engineering management team with business development efforts and growth of the customer base
- Identify new customers, focus areas, and develop new cross-divisional Aerospace partnerships
- Participate in forward-deployed program office roles as a vehicle engineering lead
What You Need To Be Successful
Minimum Requirements for the Engineering Specialist -
Multi-Disciplinary Engineering include:
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM field is required
- (8) years of applicable professional experience in one or more of the following areas: mechanical design and analysis, design for manufacturing, optical-mechanical systems, environmental testing, propulsion, mechanisms, guidance and controls, thermal engineering, structures, aerospace engineering is required
- Experience in a laboratory setting
- Demonstrated success in a multi-disciplinary systems engineering and/or program/project management environment
- Success in leading small teams and coordinating the technical activities of multiple contributors
- Demonstrated ability to take ambiguous tasking, synthesize and then deliver a product
- Knowledge of space vehicle bus and/or payload subsystems and interfaces
- Demonstration of progressively increasing responsibilities in work assignments / projects
- Willingness to occasionally travel and to work off-business hours to support customer needs, approximately 10% (as required)
- A current and active Top Secret/SCI security clearance 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 Senior Engineering Specialist - Multi-Disciplinary Engineering include:
- (12) years of applicable professional experience in one or more of the following areas: mechanical design and analysis, design for manufacturing, optical-mechanical systems, environmental testing, propulsion, mechanisms, guidance and controls, thermal engineering, structures, aerospace engineering, or multi-disciplinary project management
- Experience in a chief engineer or generalist engineer role
- Participation in business development efforts and growth of the customer base
- Experience identifying new customers, focus areas, and developing partnerships across various business and engineering functions
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
- Advanced degree in a STEM field is preferred
- Experience in one or more of the following areas: electrical integration and testing, test hardware/software, electrical design, power systems, ground support equipment (electrical, mechanical, optical, test, etc.) is strongly preferred
- Experience as test director and/or test conductor during execution of subsystem or vehicle-level testing
- Familiarity with U.S. government space acquisition policies and procedures is highly desirable
- Knowledge of satellite test standards and Aerospace mission assurance is preferred
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.
