Spacecraft Comms 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 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.
Electronic Programs Division's Directorate L is seeking a Spacecraft Comms Engineer (Senior Project Engineer-Communications Systems Engineering) to provide embedded support to a government program office engaged in several exciting major systems acquisitions being executed with tailored, agile approaches, and risk profiles. As the Spacecraft Comms Engineer, you will provide technical expertise and critical recommendations to the Government for the acquisition of cutting-edge spacecraft capabilities.
Work Model:
This is a full-time position which requires 100% on site work in Chantilly VA.
What You'll Be Doing

• Provide on-site Aerospace support to the government customer and collaborate with the customer, SETA contractors, and development contractors to meet mission needs.
• Provide technical advice on the acquisition though operation of the spacecraft communications systems - to include Optical Communications system design requirements, development and testing.
• Coordinate with corporate technical subject matter experts (SME) across the enterprise to support data driven recommendations to inform customer decision making.
• Leverage the Aerospace engineering backplane to collaborate across Group, Office, and Directorate program office boundaries to promote and ensure clean interfaces between internal and external customers.
• Guide responsive, independent laboratory testing, non-destructive imaging, analysis, and modeling and simulation to resolve difficult technical issues.
• Participate in source selection activities, providing evaluation of proposed technical designs, and risk assessments.

What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements for Sr. Project Engineer-Communications Systems Engineering:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant STEM field or related discipline
• 10 or more years of relevant space communications experience
• Experience and Expertise in Spacecraft Optical Communications systems
• Willing to travel domestically up to. 10%
• 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.

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

• An advanced degree in a relevant STEM field
• Experience developing spacecraft optical communications systems
• Demonstrated ability to communicate well in the spoken, written and electronic format
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers, contractors, company peers, and matrixed engineering staff

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
• A 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 [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.