Human Spaceflight 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.
Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within NASA, NOAA, and the NNSA, while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors.
We are looking for a Human Spaceflight Systems Engineer (Senior Member of Technical Staff/ Project Engineer- Systems Engineering). This position will support various NASA programs integrating activities and serving in various program office roles. M2M provides agency leadership for the development, analysis, integration, and implementation of human spaceflight architectures, mission plans, operational activities and spacecraft/surface system definitions. In this role, you will coordinate and collaborate across Artemis transportation and Moonbase to develop and address matters for inflight, orbital and surface operations.
The selected candidate will be required to work full-time on-site at our facility in Houston, TX, Colorado Springs, CO, Merritt Island, FL, or El Segundo, CA
What You’ll Be Doing
Serve in the program office and be a connector across exploration topics for moonbase, nuclear, science and Artemis transportation initiatives
Define operational technical requirements for the various programs
Perform assessments, readiness evaluations
Collaborate with NASA mission architects/designers and program experts across government and industry
Review contractor deliverables and NASA requirements to ensure compliance and system effectiveness to support operational needs
Contribute to standards development and documentation supporting exploration operations, in addition to management of key program plans/products
Support facility and infrastructure related topics and planning
Participate in technical, safety, and integration of working groups
Develop technical and progress reports to support internal teams and external partners
Support technical interchange meetings, hardware reviews, and key design milestones
Prepare clear, actionable reports and presentations for program offices
What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements for the Senior Member of Technical Staff- Systems Engineering
Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, or another related STEM discipline
3 years of experience in systems engineering, mission operations, or human spaceflight programs
Proven experience in human exploration architecture, integration, and mission operations with demonstrated ability to lead technical tasks
Strong knowledge and application of the engineering program lifecycle, including requirements development, design reviews, and verification/validation processes
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, with proven ability to influence technical decisions
Exceptional presentation and communication skills, including the ability to express complex technical concepts to personnel at all technical and managerial levels
Proven ability to work across diverse teams and multiple engineering disciplines, including human-in-the-loop disciplines
Experience with systems engineering tools and methodologies (e.g., model-based systems engineering, requirements management tools)
Demonstrated track record of successfully delivering technical products and meeting program milestones
Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site, domestically and internationally, approximately 10-25%
This position may require the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Project Engineer- Systems Engineering
include:
Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, or another related STEM discipline (Master's degree preferred)
6 years of experience in systems engineering, mission operations, or human spaceflight programs
Demonstrated technical leadership with proven ability to lead complex technical efforts, manage cross-functional teams, and drive technical strategy across multiple programs
Expert-level knowledge of the engineering program lifecycle with experience leading all phases from concept through operations
Proven ability to make final technical recommendations, manage technical baselines, and represent the organization in high-level technical forums with NASA, industry partners, and international stakeholders
Experience managing technical performance metrics, identifying programmatic risks, and developing mitigation strategies
Advanced proficiency with systems engineering tools and digital engineering methodologies
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
Master's degree or PhD in engineering, science, or another related STEM discipline
5+ years of experience working directly with NASA programs, processes, and teams
Background in designing and developing human-based operations for spaceflight missions
Experience coordinating with international partners (e.g., ESA, JAXA, CSA) and commercial space vendors
Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP), Professional Engineer (PE), or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
Direct experience with Artemis, Gateway, ISS, or other lunar/deep space exploration programs
Published technical papers, patents, or contributions to industry standards in aerospace or systems engineering
Experience with Agile systems engineering or other modern development methodologies
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)
$100,300.00 - $150,400.00
Pay Basis: Annual
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 a