Ground System 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.

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.

We are looking for a Ground System Engineer (Senior Member of the Technical Staff – Software Architecture and Systems Software Engineering) to join our Space-Based Sensing Division team supporting Space Systems Command (SSC) Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) acquisition efforts. The GSE will support key aspects of Aerospace’s FORGE acquisition lifecycle support, from ground system design through operations acceptance and handoff to sustainment, for all Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) program thrust areas. The Ground System Engineer will work across the program office to deliver next-generation overhead persistent infrared (OPIR) ground processing capabilities to operations. The Ground System Engineer will be responsible to develop trusted working relationships with stakeholders across the FORGE acquisition program office, operations/operations-supporting organizations, and legacy program personnel to facilitate these activities. The Ground System Engineer will serve as a subject matter expert on current and to-be fielded FORGE/next-generation OPIR ground capabilities and will provide trusted technical expertise to solicit stakeholder needs, communicate planned capabilities to address stakeholder concerns, and resolve problems as needs arise.

Work Model:

This position requires 3-5 days of on-site work per week at designated site locations, primarily in Aurora, CO, and Boulder, CO, with occasional visits to Colorado Springs, CO. Occasional travel may be required. Occasional telework options are available depending on program needs.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Provide essential technology subject matter expertise to the Aerospace/US Government program office team to guide development of future FORGE Mission Data Processing (MDP) capabilities, including framework and software releases
• Serve as a member of the trusted team of FORGE acquisition program representatives to the operations community. Respond to, and engage in, strategic discussions with the operations community to align acquisition efforts to operator needs.
• Integrate efforts across FORGE thrust area development activities to ensure consistency and operational suitability
• Support technical trades defining/refining future FORGE MDP technical program roadmaps and acquisition plans
• Represent Aerospace in program meetings and technical forums such as design reviews, technical interchanges, and site-specific meetings
• Work independently with both internal and external customers and with technical support as a technical authority and consultant
• Organize Aerospace’s technical efforts to deliver next-generation OPIR capabilities to operations
• Participate in program status assessments and independent risk assessments that inform Government and Aerospace management of problems and perceived technical problems and recommend courses of action (COA development)
• Provide on-site Aerospace presence and communicating with the customer, SETA, and contractors
• Collaborate with SETA and government customer counterparts to meet mission needs

What You Need to be Successful:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or closely related field
• At least 4 years of progressively more responsible engineering experience.
• Proven track record of integrating effort between development and operations for newly-fielded systems
• This position requires a current and active TS/SCI security clearance, 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:

• Experience with agile development practices
• Experience bringing foundational next-generation OPIR systems to operations
• Experience organizing staff/support for operational next-generation OPIR systems
• Experience troubleshooting advanced and complex, integrated systems
• Experience evolving & delivering end-to-end mission capabilities
• Adept with Confluence and Jira

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.