Digital Systems Engineering and Acquisition Project 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.

The SSC Operational Test and Training Infrastructure (OTTI) organization (SSC/TI) is responsible for integrating and synchronizing the acquisition, development, and sustainment of integrated test and training capabilities for delivery to the United States Space Force (USSF). This organization is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Systems Engineering and Acquisition Project Engineer to provide technical and programmatic leadership within the OTTI integrated program office to define, develop, and field operational test and training responsibilities. This role is responsible for providing critical support to SSC/TI, including systems engineering, architecting, modeling and simulation, digital engineering, engagements with various customers and users, and acquisition planning and execution. The selected candidate will apply technical expertise to ensure capability needs are translated and applied to acquisition and development efforts, promoting integration of pioneering technology and rapid acquisition efficiencies.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at the Garden of the Gods Facility in Colorado Springs, CO.

What You’ll Be Doing

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Provide technical leadership in alignment with customer needs in architecting, acquisition, development, integration, and delivery of test and training capabilities

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Collaborate in a multi-disciplinary and multi-organizational environment to identify programmatic, technical, and integration challenges and develop timely and quality solutions

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Develop and effectively communicate technical recommendations and solutions to Aerospace and Government leadership

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Maintain effective working relationships with Government leadership, contractors, supporting contractors, and engineering matrix reach back personnel

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Coordinate across multiple mission areas, acquisition programs, and test and training organizations to identify integration efficiencies and opportunities

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Establish, define, and fulfill critical Aerospace FFRDC roles within the OTTI program office team

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Support the establishment of integrated fiscal year execution plans to meet both near-term and long-term customer needs

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Track progress against fiscal year plans and provide continuous integration and assistance to ensure the successful accomplishment of key outcomes within the OTTI portfolio

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Project Engineer, Systems Engineering – Acquisition and Systems Engineering :

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Bachelor’s degree from accredited university in engineering or related technical subject area

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8 or more years of experience including experience in any of the following areas: acquisition and development of space mission ground/software intensive systems, modeling and simulation capabilities, software development and integration, test and evaluation, cloud, AI/ML

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Experience working with integrated, multidisciplinary, multi-organizational teams

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Familiarity with distributed simulation capabilities through a variety of methods such as APIs, Kafka, DIS, HLA, etc.

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Proven ability to work in fast-paced environment with changing priorities

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Excellent social skills enabling effective communication with customers, colleagues, and senior management

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Active Top Secret / SCI clearance with ability to obtain Special Access (SAP) and maintain clearance, issued by the US government; U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

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Ability to travel as required (approx. 10 %)

How You Can Stand Out

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

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Advanced academic degree in systems engineering, aerospace engineering, computer science, computer engineering, or a related engineering or scientific field

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Experience with processes associated with a government system acquisition and lifecycle

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Demonstrated experience in the development, integration, and test of software and/or data-intensive system architectures

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Demonstrated experience in leading the development of modeling and simulation and/or digital engineering capabilities

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Practical knowledge of USSF mission operations and training capabilities and processes to include space warfighting and wargaming

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Knowledge and experience with USSF Operational Test (OT) processes and implementation

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Knowledge of Aerospace engineering matrix support personnel and processes and experience managing Aerospace engineering and laboratory matrix support

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Current Special Access (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)
$117,300.00 - $175,900.00

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:

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Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

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Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

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Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

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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

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Flexible spending accounts

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Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

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Relocation assistance