ISS Program Information Systems and Cybersecurity Advisor Senior Program 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.

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.

Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within NASA, NOAA, and the NNSA, while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors. 

Within the CSG, the Human Exploration and Space Flight (HESF) Division supports our NASA customer in all aspects of human space flight. We are looking for an ISS Program Information Systems and Cybersecurity Advisor Senior Program Engineer- Project Engineer- Systems Engineering. The primary function of this position is to ensure systems supporting the International Space Station Program (ISS) are secure and well-integrated, addressing the vast IT security needs across the ISS portfolio, including international partners. As the Senior IT and Cybersecurity advisor to the ISS Program representing Aerospace on this NASA team, you will shape the IT security requirements and implementation/maintenance approach for ISS and their respective stakeholders and partners.  

Work Model 

This is a full-time position based in Huntsville, AL, offering a hybrid work model that combines 3-4 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business needs allow.   

What You’ll Be Doing  

• Providing Network Communications and Systems Architecting across all ISS IT platforms, including agency and international partner systems. This includes, but is not limited to: 
• Integrating Systems/Operations to ensure that system component development meets all core requirements 
• Utilizing advanced techniques for Risk Mitigation measures where compliance cannot be supported in the Mission world (i.e., where specialized systems are required for purpose and assurance) 
• Developing security views and viewpoints of the system architecture and design 
• Designing preemptive and reactive features and functions included within a balanced strategy to control asset loss and associated loss consequences 
• Providing IT consulting, International Partner network planning, and serve as the primary independent IT consultant to the entire ISS program 
• Advising the ISS Program Manager, ISS PPC Director, and CIO leaders on programmatic integration for space station digital environments 
• Evaluating cloud-based solutions and ensuring they are in line with ISS, agency and International Partner needs 
• Enhancing and maintaining ISS IT System Security (Cybersecurity) 
• Assist in the maintenance of the ISS system security plan, coordinating across the agency and user communities, including reviewing, and providing input to ISS partner and supplier system security plans 
• Provide oversight and recommendations for improved ISS cybersecurity matters 
• Work with stakeholders to ensure that security objectives, protection needs and concerns, assurance needs, security requirements (including measures of effectiveness [MOEs] and measures of performance [MOPs]), and associated validation methods are defined 
• Use predefined framework to define system security requirements and associated verification methods 
• Identify and assess susceptibilities and vulnerabilities 
• Provides security considerations to inform systems engineering efforts to reduce errors, flaws, and weaknesses that may constitute a security vulnerability 
• Identifies, quantifies, and evaluates the costs and benefits of security features, functions, and considerations to inform assessments of alternative solutions, engineering trade-offs, and risk treatment decisions 
• Demonstrates through evidence-based reasoning that security and trustworthiness claims for the system have been satisfied to the desired level of assurance 
• Leveraging security and other specialties to address all feasible solutions 

What You Need to be Successful - Senior Project Engineer- Systems Engineering   

Minimum Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, mathematics, or another related STEM discipline  
• At least 18 years of experience with NASA IT systems and Cybersecurity expertise 
• Direct experience integrating the digital environments onboard the ISS 
• Demonstrable expertise/experience working with ISS Internal Partners to provide cybersecurity and network communications/IT systems architecting solutions at the agency level 
• Superior analytical, planning, problem solving, and decision-making skills 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills including effectively explaining concepts to managers and scientists  
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary setting, manage multiple concurrent tasks, and provide direction on competing priorities 
• Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site/domestically/internationally approx. 10%
• This position may require the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. 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:  

• Master’s degree in science, engineering, or mathematics, and/or advanced education/training in specialized areas of Systems Development, Networking/Communications and Cybersecurity  
• Deep knowledge of NASA IT processes  
• Demonstrated experience with collaborations supporting multiple research disciplines/specialties 

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.