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, 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 Materiel 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 Strategic Deterrence and Defense Division supports a broad array of missions covering the nuclear operations/ICBM programs and Missile Defense Agency (MDA) programs. We are seeking a highly skilled Sr. System Integration & Design Specialist to support the System Integrator at the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). This role is integral in systematically reducing integration risks throughout the design, development, verification, and early integration phases of our advanced defense systems. The successful candidate will work cross-functionally to ensure technical schedules are aligned, digital models are developed to streamline planning, and design ambiguities are resolved—enabling agile iterations and efficient system integration.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Huntsville, AL.  

What You’ll Be Doing

• Integration Risk Reduction:
  • Support the System Integrator at MDA by systematically reducing integration risks during design, development, verification, and early integration phases.
• Integrated Technical Scheduling:
  • Collaborate with teams to align functionality, element software builds, software delivery dates, and ground test events.
  • Proactively identify and resolve areas of risk or disconnect, ensuring cohesive and timely technical execution.
• Digital Model Development:
  • Play a key role in initiating and developing a digital model to coordinate technical schedules.
  • Identify Evolution Plan capabilities and element-specific features.
  • Synchronize software build schedules and delivery timelines, while highlighting and addressing potential risks.
• Integrated Design Exchanges:
  • Identifying Ambiguities: Conduct focused reviews to pinpoint uncertainties in the system’s integrated design.
  • Facilitating Cross-Functional Communication: Organize and lead meetings with experts from various disciplines to ensure element-level changes are clearly understood across the integrated system.
  • Documenting Decisions: Capture outcomes from design reviews, including decision points, risk mitigations, and recommendations for ensuring design alignment.
  • Supporting Agile Iteration: Enable rapid adjustments and refinements to design strategies to minimize integration risks prior to critical testing phases.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Senior Project Engineer (Software Architecture and Systems Software Engineering):

• Bachelor’s of Science degree in a STEM field or closely related technical field
• 10 or more years of relevant professional or educational experience
• Background in ground architectures and software development
• Experience coordinating and leading multidiscipline technical teams formed to solve complex technical aerospace issues
• Demonstrated success and affinity in conducting independent research, gathering information needed to perform technical assessments, and communicating findings and recommendations to stakeholders
• Demonstrated technical acumen and desire to gain technical expertise in multiple technical areas outside of self-core technical competencies
• Demonstrated effectiveness in leading engagements with stakeholders at multiple levels of leadership to drive towards defined objectives
• Willingness to occasionally travel and support customer needs (domestically) approximately 25% (as required) 
• This position requires a current and active Secret security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. 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:

• Strong background in developing and managing interface control documents (ICDs) with a focus on enabling interoperability within complex systems
• Experience with demonstration missions and/or Ground Test/Flight Test Integration
• Proven ability to execute tasks in a matrixed environment and establish effective working relationships with customers, addressing their needs, building relationships, and communicating effectively
• Demonstration of superior communication skills in a fast-paced environment

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 [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.