ESS Space Systems Payload Project Leader

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nations 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 youll be part of a special collection of problem solvers thought leaders and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures policy and strategy technology development warfighter capability enablers systems integration defense industrial base and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers including the U.S. Space Force U.S. Space Command Air Force Material Command and senior leadership at the Pentagon but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers portfolios as well as horizontal matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. Additionally DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception design acquisition launch and operations of satellite launch vehicle ground control and range systems.

The ESS Program seeks a Space Systems Payload Project Leader to serve as a technical advisor for payload engineering within an integrated program office supporting the U.S. Space Force. This position requires a RF communications engineering expert who will focus on the satellite RF payload subsystems provide technical advisory services to government customers and ensure alignment between acquisition strategies and mission capability requirements.

Last year the ESS program awarded the Space Development and Production contract; in the coming year the space segment advances towards a 2027 CDR. ESS is a communications satellite program for resilient reliable and secure communications for NC3 users worldwide; within this program the Payload Project Leader role encompasses responsibility for technical advisement for the RF payload portfolio including phased array antenna and XDR modem subsystems.

This role will work with a highly experienced payload engineering team interface regularly with Space Force leadership Aerospace Corporation management and personnel SETA contractors and prime contractors to ensure successful execution of this critical national security space program.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time on-site at our facility in El Segundo CA.

What Youll Be Doing

• Provide insight to Aerospace leadership and the customer on prime contractor execution status risks issues and opportunities for the RF payload.
• Maintain effective working relationships with customer leadership contractors ETG and other supporting contractors.
• Manage allocated resources to prioritize tasking for ETG subject matter experts.
• Deliver in collaboration with ETG technical position papers design assessments and briefings on technical cost and schedule risk to the program relating to communication payload design and implementation.
• Act as a technical advisor to the Space Force customer on the RF payload architecture and performance.
• Serve as integration leader and/or coordinator of technical teams and act as spokesperson for working groups to management and customers.
• Monitor and assess contractor performance and delivery of the products and/or services under space ground and crypto contracts that relate to the ESS payload design and implementation.
• Apply systems engineering principles in support of the execution phase of the program.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Project Leader - Communications Systems and Payload Systems Engineering - RF:

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or science from a recognized institution or a related STEM field.
• 8 or more years of escalating responsibilities in professional engineering/scientific experience working across government programs
• A track record demonstrating space systems engineering skills including the ability to understand explain and present to the customer how specific issues are connected to the broader program.
• Experience with satellite communication hardware and/or digital/analog waveform processing.
• Exhibited ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in multi-disciplinary teams that include colleagues government and contractor personnel.
• Demonstration of excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to develop technical materials and present to key stakeholders and senior leaders; writing sample and presentation required.
• Ability to travel to contractor and vendor facilities as required.

• This position requires an active Secret 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 mission assurance principles and practices.
• Familiarity with IEEE 15288.2 (IEEE Standard for Application of Systems Engineering on Defense Programs)
• Understanding of space system acquisition.
• MILSATCOM program office experience.
• Familiarity with Aerospace culture and prior experience coordinating with Engineering & Technology Group (ETG).
• Advanced technical degree in engineering science physics or related field.

We offer a competitive compensation package where youll 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 otherthe 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 equalopportunity 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 colorreligiongeneticinformation 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 youre 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 emailat .You can also reviewKnow Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.