PNT Ground and Mission Operations Systems 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.

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.

Our Subdivision's customer is the Mission Delta 31, one of the first Space Operations Command (SpOC) "Integrated Mission Deltas (IMD)". MD31 key responsibilities include operation and maintenance of the GPS Constellation, development and transition of the next generation GPS Control System (OCX) and launch of the final tranche of GPS III space vehicles. The IMD structure brings an exciting operational exchange into the traditional SSC acquisition model, whereby the Delta Commander is both an SSC Senior Material Leader as well as a SpOC Delta Commander. MD 31 is the template by which all future SpOC IMDs will be activated. The PNT Ground and Ops organization will benefit from a Project System Engineer who can integrate and bridge the MD 31 Enterprise construct. Responsibilities include supporting the 2nd Navigation Warfare Squadron (2 NWS) with current operations and a successful transition to the new GPS Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX). The role will identify opportunities to balance acquisition with GPS and ground operational tasks and identify opportunities to meet the fight tonight. As MD 31 grows, to include the Satellite Control Network (SCN), the candidate will provide support and advise the MD 31 director options for successful integration and merging of the PNT and SCN missions.

Work Model

Position will require on-site presence 4-5 days per week, with a primary workplace to be established at the customer locations in Colorado Springs, CO.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Supporting MD 31 initiatives, 2 NWS operations, 31 CDS OCX transition and 31 STS sustainment
  • Aerospace representative to customer or contractor in support of tasks, operations, and project development.
  • Interface regularly with customer and contractor engineers and program management.
• Providing Aerospace colleagues, MD 31 organizations exceptional leadership, mentoring and project execution skills.
  • Upholding MD 31 organization and Aerospace scope, objectives and goals; communicating them to customer, colleagues, management, and interfacing matrix organizations.
  • Demonstrating and communicating openness and the flexibility to innovate
• Identifying and leading major program tasks regarding system-level architectural analysis, conceptual design concepts, and system/operation analysis
  • Evaluating customer needs, perform analyses, and define tangible solutions
• Cooperating and communicating frequently with customer to coordinate and report work progress, issues, and results.
• Seeking and identifying opportunities for additional, expanded and new business and assisting higher management in the evaluation and pursuit of new opportunities.
• Co-locating with customer systems program offices, interfacing regularly at working-level and management level to ensure rapid assembly of and response by special task teams, efficient assignment of responsibility and action items, and rapid exchange of information.
• Conducting Mission Assurance reviews and presentations for Aerospace and customer stakeholders.
• Providing interface between department and corporate/customer management, developing and strengthening relationships.

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

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, computer science or an equivalent STEM field.
• 12 or more years of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including substantial experience in a managerial role with proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of contractors, customers, and corporate staff.
• One or more of the following:
  • 5+ Years experience in Satellite Operations and Ground Control Segment acquisition, development, or operations.
  • 5+ Years experience in major government or commercial distributed, networked software system.
  • 5+ Years experience in development or acquisition of space-, user-, or control-segment components of the Global Positioning System (GPS)

• Demonstrated and exceptional interpersonal, collaboration, teambuilding, strategic, leadership and communication skills.
• A strong technical background and experience in operations, systems engineering, testing, fielding and operations from a range of perspectives and domains.
• This position requires a current and active TS/SCI government security clearance and willingness to submit to additional clearances, which is issued by the US government; US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
• Proven track record in a highly dynamic program office environment with a mix of Government, FFRDC and SETA personnel.
• Ability to travel within and to/from Colorado.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced degree in systems engineering, computer science, distributed systems, geodetics, control theory, or an equivalent STEM field
• Current knowledge of Satellite Control Network (SCN) or other ground systems
• Current knowledge of Satellite Command and Control (C2), distributed and cloud-based system technologies, capabilities, acquisition, and an understanding of space and ground systems development
• Current knowledge of Digital Engineering technologies, capabilities, and acquisition
• Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships with government program team leaders
• Demonstrated management skills including budgeting, staff development, and strategic planning
• Knowledge of Aerospace practices and policies relevant to department leadership

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 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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.