The Aerospace Corporation

Space-to-Ground Systems Integration Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation$100K — $175K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
  • 5-7 years of experience in Test and Evaluation (T&E) and systems engineering relating to space systems and ground systems operations.
  • Direct experience with satellite development and ground station mission operations.
  • Understanding of space/ground system architecture and satellite operations, including data links and protocols.
  • Familiarity with systems integration planning and execution, as well as with associated documentation (SIPs, SEPs, STIPs).
  • Experience with systems engineering tools like Cameo and simulation environments like STK, Simulink, or scripting languages like Python.

Responsibilities

  • Lead systems integration across various interfaces for satellite and ground systems.
  • Develop and execute test and verification programs for integration with space, ground, and user segment systems.
  • Manage requirements flow-down and verification while ensuring traceability throughout all phases.
  • Provide systems engineering support for cloud environments, focusing on mission assurance and risk mitigation.
  • Analyze solutions for system architecture and support decision-making through technical assessments.
  • Establish modern development practices using Agile and DevSecOps methodologies.
  • Support operational testing and evaluation, documenting findings and recommendations.

Benefits

  • Full-time on-site work opportunities at multiple locations including El Segundo, Colorado Springs, or Chantilly.
  • Access to a dynamic portfolio of space programs.
  • Involvement in mission-critical programs with significant impact on national challenges.
  • Collaboration with government agencies and commercial partners in the aerospace sector.
Full Job Description

The Systems Engineering Division (SED)offersexpertisein systems engineering to the U.S. government and various public and private agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, consortia, and commercial companies involved in the advanced development and application of space systems. From systems CONOPs and architecture development to system design and analysis, mission assurance, cost and schedule assessment, and economic market analysis, SED leverages a vast array of engineering and business disciplines across a diverse and dynamic portfolio of space programs and national challenges spanning the total space system lifecycle.

TheSystems Integration and Test Office(SITO)createand review system functional, performance, and operationally relevant test programs for internal and external customerspace, ground, and user segment systems. Responsible for performing systems integrationand testtasks relatedto mission and system threads, interface definition, technology insertion, and useof system integration tools and techniques.

The selected candidate willbe requiredto work full-time, on-site at our facility in El SegundoCA (oralternativelocations atColorado SpringsCO,or ChantillyVA).

WhatYouBe Doing

 Lead cross-segment systems integration across space-to-ground, ground-to-user, and space-to-user interfaces for mission-critical satellite and ground systems.You'llensure seamless integration between space vehicles, ground control systems, user equipment, and communication networks.

 Develop and execute comprehensive test and verification programs for space, ground, anduser segment systems.Createand review system functional and performance test plans,defining verification and validation approaches, and supporting programand designreviews throughout development, test, and transition to operations.

 Manage requirements flow-down and verification for space and ground segment systems,including Interface Control Documents (ICDs), engineering models, simulations, testbeds, and special test equipment. Ensure requirements traceability from mission concept of operations through prototype development, initial flight checkout, flight operations, and operational transition.

 Provide mission assurance and systems engineering support for space-to-groundarchitecture development in commercial cloud environments (AWS, Azure, or GCP).Identifytechnical risks, develop mitigation strategies, and ensure integration efforts meet missionobjectivesand security requirements.

 Analyze and recommend solutions for space-to-ground system architecture, software design,acquisition strategies, operations, and sustainment. Support decision-making processes through technical analysis, trade studies, and risk assessments.

Establishmodern development practices by implementing Agile andDevSecOpsmethodologies for space-to-ground system software development. Define development metrics, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, and automated testing frameworks.

 Create integration plans and coordinate across disciplines by developing space-to-ground, space-to-user, and ground-to-user segment integration plans (SIPs), system engineering plans (SEPs), system test and integration plans (STIPs) using Test and Evaluation Master Plans (TEMP) and Systems Engineering Management Plans (SEMP).Lead requirements verification activities and coordinate with spacecraft systems, flight software, ground software, and operations teams to ensure end-to-end mission success.

Support operational testing and evaluation byparticipatingin developmental tests (DT), operational tests (OT), andintegrated test events. Analyze test results, document findings, and provide technical recommendations to government customers and program leadership.

What You Need to be Successful

MinimumRequirements for Sr. MTS:

  • Bachelors degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or relatedtechnicalfield.

  • 5years ofexperienceinTest andEvaluation(TE),verification ofspace-to-ground or ground-to-user segmentinterfacerequirementsincludingsystems engineering,and/or operations of space systems, satellites,and/or groundsystemsinfrastructure within theU.S.government agencies and/or aerospace industry.

  • Direct experience with space systems (satellite development, ground station operations, mission operations, or space system integration).

  • Understanding of space and/or groundsystemarchitectureand satellite operationsincluding orbital mechanics, satellitesubsystems (e.g.,spacecraft bus,payload), groundsystem functions (command and control, telemetry and mission data processing, and space-to-ground(or ground-to-user)data links and protocols).

  • Experience with systems(and/or system of systems)integration planning,execution, and test.In addition, familiarity with System IntegrationPlans (SIP), Systems Engineering Plans (SEP), and System Test and Integration Plans (STIP).

  • Experience with the following: systems engineering tools (e.g.,Cameo), test management software, simulation environments (STK, Simulink), or scripting languages (Python, MATLAB).

  • Demonstrated ability to successfully work in a team environment withstrong communicationskills.

  • Secret clearancerequired(active clearance preferred,orability toobtainone).

In addition to the above, theminimumrequirements for an Engineering Specialistinclude:

  • 8 years ofexperiencein Test and Evaluation (TE), verification ofspace-to-ground or ground-to-user segment interface requirements including systems engineering, and/or operations of space systems, satellites, and/or ground systems infrastructure within the U.S.government agencies and/or aerospace industry.

  • Working knowledge ofDepartment of Defense Instruction (DoDI)Test andEvaluation processes and documentation, including familiarity with DoDI 5000 series acquisition policies, Developmental Tests(DT), Operational Tests(OT), integrated test strategies, Test and Evaluation Master Plans(TEMP), Systems Engineering Management Plans(SEMP)development and execution.

  • Experience with test planning, execution, and analysis using test management software, simulation environments, statistical tools, and technical reporting forU.S. government agencyevaluation and decision processes.

  • Ability to independently leadmultiplecross-functional technical teams,multiple concurrent tasks, and communicate technical information clearly and persuasively.

How You Can Stand Out

It would be Impressive if you have one or more of the following:

  • Advanced degrees (Mastersor Ph.D.) in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or related technical field.

  • Mission testing and integration knowledge and experience for specific U.S. Space Force (USSF), Intelligence Community (IC), or commercial customers (e.g., system requirements, system (and/or system of systems) integration and testing, spacecraft subsystems, manufacturing, test, and/or spacecraft/ground operations).

  • Havedemonstratedability to take a system-level perspective and flow down salient aspects of system behavior into requirements and assess requirements verification evidence/counterevidence into system level effect analysis.

  • Knowledge of cloud/virtual architecture and agile testing methodologies for software integration and test.

  • Ability toleverageArtificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) technologies tooptimizetesting workflows and integration efficiency.

About The Aerospace Corporation

The Aerospace Corporation is a nonprofit corporation that operates a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) headquartered in El Segundo, California. The corporation provides technical guidance and advice on all aspects of space missions to military, civil, and commercial customers. Aerospace also designs and develops spacecraft, sensors, and other systems in support of national security, civil, and commercial customers. The corporation has more than 4,000 employees and operates a number of laboratories and test facilities across the United States.
Learn more about The Aerospace Corporation
Size
4,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1960

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