Integrated Operational Network (ION) Chief 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.

The Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, developmental planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape future space missions across the national security space enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including United States Space Force, United States Space Command, Air Force Material 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.

The Enterprise Mission Systems (EMS) Subdivision supports the Space Systems Command Battle Management Command, Control and Communications (SSC/BMC3) organization at Los Angeles Air Force Base.  The Integrated Operational Network (ION) Chief Engineer will shape the program to analyze and close network gaps across the entire BMC3 portfolio at classification levels from unclassified through SAP level.  The selected candidate will work across many programs in various phases, from in acquisition through sustainment, finding least cost and technically sound engineering designs which support BMC3 requirements.  The selected candidate will utilize their network expertise and leadership skills to see the engineering designs from concept development and stakeholder buy-in through implementation and test.  The Chief Engineer will work with the Government to identify, prioritize and cost solutions based on current state realities and requirements.  The Chief Engineer will gather and execute against requirements held by many programs across various classification levels. 

Work Model:  Due to the nature of the work, this role is hybrid with 4 days onsite working in El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Acting as the ION Chief Engineer, working directly with the Government Program Manager and Senior Materiel Lead as well as various FFRDC, SETA, and contractor personnel
• Collaborating with multiple stakeholders with vastly different interests to prioritize implementation leading to general agreement
• Understanding existing legacy networks, networks in development, and planned future networks and how their capacity and resiliency impact enterprise missions
• Verifying actual overall network capabilities and architecture vs the advertised capabilities
• Working through significant political, vendor lock-in, and technical conflicts to rapidly improve the network capacity, resiliency, and increase machine to machines interfaces in the enterprise
• Influencing key Government and contractor stakeholders to move forward with proposed network capabilities
• Leading teams to perform risk reduction research and development
• Ensuring the long-term sustainment and viability of the proposed implementations
• Testing and validating network connections against anomalous use cases

What You Need to be Successful - Principal Engineer, Cloud Computing and Cyber Security Architecture

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field or equivalent
• 15 or more years of applicable experience in network engineering, cybersecurity, software engineering, and cloud deployments
• Proven ability to collaborate with multiple government stakeholders with vastly different interests and be able to find collaborative solutions that will be adopted
• Ability to form deep hands-on understanding of network capabilities and architecture to understand how their capacity and resiliency impact enterprise requirements
• Experience delivering results by influencing key stakeholders
• Experience working through complex engineering challenges which have both technical and political contributions
• Ability to bring deep hands on and practical understanding of IT and network implementation to avoid overly complex implementations that decrease effectiveness and impact implementation timelines
• Experience working directly with contractors to implement and test complex designs
• Hands-on understanding of cloud offerings and how their compute and network capacity can be taken advantage of to increase system reliability in support of enterprise priorities
• Understand cybersecurity trades and issues with an ability to properly make recommendations to Government program managers on implementation risk
• Superior verbal and written communication skills
• Willing to travel domestically and internationally (approximately 20% of work time)
• Current TS/SCI with the ability to obtain SAP clearances, which is issued by the US government. US 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:

• Active SAP clearances
• Experience working through cybersecurity accreditation in Space Force or DoD programs
• Experience defining and implementing a strategic technical vision
• Familiarity with military space systems and operational concepts

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.