Space System Architect Project Lead

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.
The Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a wide-ranging and dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities.
The Architecture Concepts Department (ArCon) provides expertise in architecture methods, processes, and tools to an extremely broad range of customers, including National Space Security (NSS) and other defense programs, NASA, NOAA, NNSA, DHS, and others. ArCon staff participate in and lead architecture trade studies, architecture conceptualization studies, architecture modeling tasks, and program assessment analyses at multiple levels of complexity, ranging from prototype systems to full scale acquisition systems in the space, ground, communications, and network domains. ArCon applies disciplined system architecting principles and leads cross-functional teams to provide impactful guidance to assist our customers in making key acquisition and operations decisions.
Work Model: This is a part-time position (20 hours/week) performed fully remote. Occasional on-site presence may be required to support in-person Concurrent Design Center (CDC) sessions, as needed.
What You’ll Be Doing
Lead space architecture trade studies and conceptualization efforts of medium to high complexity, assembling and leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams to address problem framing, gap analysis, and trade space assessment
Serve as a critical node and spokesperson for communicating technical needs and deliverables to project team members, program office, and customers; identify and facilitate access to subject matter expertise across the corporation
Evaluate, select, and apply system architecting methods, processes, and tools in a broad range of space architecture-level assessment, modeling, analysis, and conceptual design activities
Use, develop, and integrate analytical methods and tools to evaluate space architectural concepts and system conceptual designs for cost, schedule, performance, risk, resilience to disruptive events or threats, and other characteristics
Work with Aerospace program office, customer, and contractor personnel to elicit and identify needs, requirements, and constraints for studies; scope, plan, and execute studies; and effectively communicate task status, methods, results, and recommendations in briefings and formal technical reports
Manage project plans, resources, budgets, risks, and constraints to deliver impactful and timely products within a part-time schedule, prioritizing and sequencing work to meet study milestones
Collaborate with other Aerospace personnel to marshal technical expertise in multiple technical disciplines and domains to enable concurrent engineering approaches to address complex space architecture problems
Mentor and train junior staff for effective task execution on space architecture studies
What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements for Project Lead:
Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, science, or related technical field
At least 8 years of professional experience in engineering, may be satisfied by combinations of MS Degree, PhD, and/or professional experience
Experience in space system or enterprise architecting, systems engineering, concept design, and/or model-based systems engineering
Experience organizing and leading cross-functional, cross-organizational teams to execute projects or studies, including as Project Lead or Systems Lead on a study team
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present methods and results effectively in briefings, formal reports, and informal communications
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with teams, customers, Aerospace program offices, and contractors, and to collaborate with other functional organizations within Aerospace
Demonstrated ability to manage time and deliverables independently in a part-time, remote work arrangement, including proactive communication with team members and customers across differing schedules
Available and willing to travel to an Aerospace campus (Chantilly, VA; Colorado Springs, CO; or El Segundo, CA) as needed to support in-person CDC sessions
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
Master's and/or Ph.D. in engineering, math, science, or related technical discipline
Demonstrated initiative to innovate, shape, drive, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of tasks, projects, or organizations
Demonstrated success in organizing and leading cross-functional, cross-organizational teams to execute studies and assessments and generate quality products
Relevant work and/or graduate school experience in system or enterprise architecting, systems engineering, model-based systems engineering, or digital engineering
Experience with spacecraft, payloads, ground systems, launch systems, missile systems, nuclear weapon systems, and/or aircraft systems
Hands-on experience with system or enterprise modeling in the Systems Modeling Language (SysML), Unified Architecture Framework (UAF), or Unified Profile for DoDAF and MODAF (UPDM)
Experience working closely with key Aerospace customer agencies in the defense and intelligence community, including strong knowledge of their domain and strong professional networks
Prior experience successfully executing a part-time or remote technical role, including proactively structuring one's own schedule to meet project deadlines
Experience with space system architecture conceptual design, analysis, and concurrent engineering techniques
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)
$135,300.00 - $202,900.00
Pay Basis: Annual
Leadership Competencies
Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee,