Winner of Built In's 2025 Best Places to Work
The Aerospace Corporation Logo

The Aerospace Corporation

Mission Engineer/ Senior Mission Engineer

Job Posted 6 Days Ago Reposted 6 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Hybrid
3 Locations
117K-227K Annually
Senior level
Hybrid
3 Locations
117K-227K Annually
Senior level
The role involves applying engineering principles to mission integration, developing MBSE models, collaborating across disciplines, and advising on engineering solutions.
The summary above was generated by AI

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 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 Mission Engineering Department provides technical expertise and leadership in mission engineering methods, processes, and tools to a broad range of customers, including National Security Space (NSS) and other defense programs, NASA, NOAA, NNSA, and others. Members of the Mission Engineering Department evaluate and assess customer mission-integration needs and/or challenges, develop end-to-end mission threads, and provide timely advice, make recommendations to enterprise leaders on risks, issues, and gaps, and develop recommended solutions to enable desired mission outcomes. The Mission Engineering Department applies the mission-engineering tradecraft to build and analyze end-to-end effects-chains.
This is an on-site position based in Chantilly, VA, Colorado Springs, CO, or El Segundo, CA. In-person presence will be required for customer meetings and classified work.
What You'll Be Doing

  • Apply and develop system of systems and enterprise engineering MBSE models to capture end-to-end mission threads
  • Apply and develop innovative methods, processes, and tools to architect and implement model-based systems engineering (MBSE), mission engineering, and digital engineering (DE) capabilities
  • Inform system architecting and acquisition decisions with expertise in relevant systems, technologies, threats, policy, and the industrial base in the space and/or nuclear weapons domains
  • Collaborate with other Aerospace personnel to marshal technical expertise in multiple technical disciplines and domains to enable concurrent engineering approaches to address complex problems
  • Work with Aerospace program office, customer, and contractor personnel to elicit and identify needs, requirements, and constraints for studies; build cross-disciplinary teams; scope, plan, and execute the study; and effectively communicate task status, methods, results, and recommendations in briefings and formal technical reports


What You Need to be Successful Engineering Specialist:

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, math, science, or bachelor's degree and equivalent technical experience
  • 8 years, in system or enterprise architecting, systems engineering, model-based systems engineering, experiment design or digital engineering.
  • 8 years, in space systems or architecting new space devices for future space applications and or relevant work and/or graduate school experience,
  • Excellent interpersonal and networking skills and ability to work effectively with a various set of collaborators
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present methods and results effectively in briefings, formal reports, and informal communications
  • Exceptional time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects
  • Ability to learn new skills and acquire knowledge through self-study and proactive engagement with mentors and subject matter experts
  • Willing to travel [domestically/internationally] approx. 10%
  • This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
  • You must be available and willing to travel domestically and internationally approx. 5-10%
  • This position requires a current and active TS/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.


What You Need to be Successful Sr. Engineering Specialist:

  • You must hold a Bachelor's degree in a technical field, or a Bachelor's degree and equivalent technical experience
  • You must have substantive experience in the space, intelligence, and/or defense domains, typically 12 or more years
  • You must be proficient with engineering and analytic capabilities such as Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) or modeling and simulation.
  • You must have experience with project planning and team leadership
  • You need excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with customers, Aerospace program offices, and contractors; to collaborate with other functional organizations within Aerospace; and to mentor and develop junior staff
  • You must have experience developing and presenting strategic decision-making and strategic communications artifacts for senior-level management and technical architecture design artifacts for engineering-level reviews
  • You need exceptional time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and to organize and lead cross-functional, cross-organizational teams to execute studies and assessments


How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

  • Advanced degree in engineering, math, science, or related technical discipline
  • Demonstrated success in organizing and leading cross-functional, cross-organizational teams to execute studies and assessments and generate quality products
  • More relevant work and/or graduate school experience, greater than 5 years, in system or enterprise architecting, systems engineering, model-based systems engineering, or digital engineering
  • More relevant work and/or graduate school experience, greater than 5 years, in space systems. Experience in command and control, system of systems engineering, system test, and training are desired.
  • 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
  • Experience leading and executing digital transformation initiatives


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)
$117,300 - $226,900
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 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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.

Top Skills

Model Based Systems Engineering (Mbse)
Systems Modeling Language (Sysml)
Unified Architecture Framework (Uaf)
Unified Profile For Dodaf And Modaf (Updm)

Similar Jobs at The Aerospace Corporation

8 Days Ago
Hybrid
Chantilly, VA, USA
Senior level
Senior level
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • Machine Learning • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
The Senior Mission Engineer leads mission integration efforts, providing technical expertise on systems engineering, resource management, and strategic planning for defense and intelligence projects.
Top Skills: And PracticesMethodsModel-Based Systems Engineering Concepts
4 Hours Ago
Hybrid
3 Locations
87K-130K Annually
Junior
87K-130K Annually
Junior
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • Machine Learning • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
The Systems Engineer & Integrator will support NNSA by executing and integrating systems engineering analyses, conducting studies, and collaborating with program staff to achieve mission success.
Top Skills: CameoExtendsimMathworksMatlabPythonSimicsSimulinkUnified Architecture FrameworkWind River
4 Hours Ago
Hybrid
3 Locations
117K-227K Annually
Senior level
117K-227K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • Machine Learning • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
The Senior Systems Engineer & Integrator will lead system engineering and integration for NNSA projects, performing technical analyses and supporting acquisition programs. Responsibilities include developing studies, collaborating with teams, and ensuring mission success through established engineering principles.
Top Skills: CameoExtendsimMathworksMatlabPythonSimicsSimulinkUnified Architecture FrameworkWind River

What you need to know about the Seattle Tech Scene

Home to tech titans like Microsoft and Amazon, Seattle punches far above its weight in innovation. But its surrounding mountains, sprinkled with world-famous hiking trails and climbing routes, make the city a destination for outdoorsy types as well. Established as a logging town before shifting to shipbuilding and logistics, the Emerald City is now known for its contributions to aerospace, software, biotech and cloud computing. And its status as a thriving tech ecosystem is attracting out-of-town companies looking to establish new tech and engineering hubs.

Key Facts About Seattle Tech

  • Number of Tech Workers: 287,000; 13% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
  • Major Tech Employers: Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Google
  • Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, software, biotechnology, game development
  • Funding Landscape: $3.1 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
  • Notable Investors: Madrona, Fuse, Tola, Maveron
  • Research Centers and Universities: University of Washington, Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University, Allen Institute for Brain Science, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle Children’s Research Institute
By clicking Apply you agree to share your profile information with the hiring company.

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account