Senior Project Leader – Communication Systems Engineering and Electromagnetic Warfare

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.

Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, development planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape the future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including US Space Force, U.S Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers but also horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. DSG also assists the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

In this role, you will lead an Aerospace team that provides multi-disciplinary engineering and acquisition expertise to a government program management office within the Space Systems Command (SSC) Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) Systems Delta. You’ll work with a United States Space Force (USSF) Materiel Leader to acquire and deliver important EW Systems Delta capabilities with a focus on cost, schedule, and performance. Through collaborations across Aerospace and the USSF, you’ll also influence future force designs. You’ll be part of Aerospace’s Space Domain Superiority Directorate within the Special Programs Division. The Special Programs Division supports a broad portfolio of missions for the USSF.

Work Model

This is an interactive, government-facing role that requires you to be 100% in-person with our government partner during work hours. Travel, which may include both CONUS and OCONUS travel, is required about 10-20% of the time.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Coordinate a team of technical contributors on mission analyses, specification of requirements, architectural trades, feedback on contractor design and development details, assessment and handling of program risks and opportunities, and system verification through testing and analysis
• Take initiative with government points of contact to propose and accept tasks and projects on behalf of Aerospace
• Create and manage an Aerospace workforce plan and budget
• Grow Aerospace talent for the program office through recruiting and mentoring
• Empower and delegate to your Aerospace program office team members and Aerospace specialists in the matrixed Engineering and Technology Group
• Effectively collaborate across USSF, across Aerospace, and with other contractors
• Act as a spokesperson for your team in meetings with Aerospace management and in meetings with government leadership
• Communicate with government stakeholders and Aerospace management on plans, progress, and system details through briefings and writing that is clear, concise, and professional

What You Need to be Successful – Senior Project Leader, Communication Systems Engineering

Minimum Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in electrical engineering, computer science, or another related technical field
• 12 or more years of increasingly responsible and relevant professional experience in the national security space mission area
• Professional experience with electronic communication systems
• History of providing technical leadership within an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to travel up 10-20% of the time, both CONUS and OCONUS
• This position requires an active TS/SCI security clearance and the ability to be granted and maintain accesses to Special Access Programs. Clearances and accesses are issued by the US government. US citizenship is a minimum requirement to obtain a security clearance and receive additional accesses

How You Can Stand Out

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

• An advanced degree in a relevant technical area
• High level of expertise in communication systems engineering
• Familiarity with electromagnetic warfare systems
• Expertise in information technologies, cybersecurity, systems engineering, DoD acquisitions, or a combination thereof
• Current or previous accesses to Special Access Programs

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)

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.