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.
At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.
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.
This position will support the National Nuclear Security Administration Defense Programs, through system engineering and integration (SE&I) expertise. We are looking for a Nuclear Security Systems Engineer (Project Engineer/ Sr. Project Engineer- Nuclear and Systems Engineering). You will develop, lead, and execute studies such as systems architecture analyses, technology development planning and evaluation, organizational effectiveness studies, and risk assessments. This will require the candidate to work collaboratively with the Aerospace Engineering Technology Group (ETG) across the company to fully leverage the Aerospace Corporation's technical capabilities in all relevant areas to best support the NNSA.
Work Model
This is a full-time position based in Albuquerque, NM, offering a hybrid work model that combines 3-4 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business needs allow.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Provide independent and unbiased analysis across multi-disciplinary technical areas supporting the sustainment and modernization of systems within the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the greater Nuclear Security Enterprise.
- Lead Aerospace ETG teams to support activities within the NNSA Office of Systems Engineering and Integration, NNSA weapons Life Extension Programs (LEPs) and other NNSA offices through the application of proven scientific, engineering, quality, and program management principles toward the goal of achieving mission success.
- Conduct systems studies and analyses that support technical, programmatic, and organizational decision-making on a variety of projects.
- Lead studies such as systems architecture analyses, technology development planning and evaluation, organizational effectiveness studies, and risk assessments.
- Lead collaborations with program development and program execution staff to fully leverage the Aerospace Corporation's technical capabilities in all relevant areas to best support the NNSA.
- Lead task execution and integration of technical analyses into high quality, unified final products. Utilize systems engineering frameworks with risk management and independent assessment as cornerstones.
- The customer for this position is the NNSA Office of Systems Engineering and Integration.
What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements for the Project Engineer-Nuclear and Systems Engineering
- A minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in engineering, science, or other science/technology field of study coupled with equivalent experience in technical operations and/or management of advanced technology national security systems.
- At least 6 years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, working independently with both internal and external customers and with technical support, as a technical authority, consultant, primary investigator, or project leader.
- Experience leading or organizing technical efforts or project teams.
- Ability to independently service several project segments and/or smaller program/project efforts.
- Exhibit high level of innovation, creativeness, and initiative and the ability to work in a self-motivated and self-directed manner.
- Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills.
- Knowledge of NNSA Defense Programs missions.
- This position requires a current and active DOE (L or Q) or DOD Top Secret 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 Senior Project Engineer-Nuclear and Systems Engineering include:
- At least ten years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including multi-disciplinary systems engineering and/or program management environments utilizing the application of system engineering, risk management, quality, and management principles to achieve success of a design, development, testing, deployment, and operations process, and identifying and mitigating design, production, test, and field support deficiencies that threaten mission success.
- Acts as senior technical authority, consultant, primary investigator, or team leader. May lead or organize interfaces between customers' and Aerospace technical and management staff. Coordinates large-scale technical efforts across program/project lines.
- Demonstrated teaming and leadership skills in tasks such as formulating plans, leading studies, and utilizing internal technology competency organizations.
- Demonstrated capability to perform analysis and lead technical product delivery.
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
- An advanced degree or certification in systems engineering and/or project management.
- Experience in systems engineering, program/project controls and quality, including tasks such as requirements flow-down, interface definition, resource loaded schedules, documentation repositories, change control processes, system performance analysis, programmatic risk management, cost, schedule and performance trades, and technology development investment analyses.
- Experience in the analysis of complex technical, programmatic, and management environments at a high programmatic level.
- Knowledge of NNSA’s Phase X/6.X acquisition processes.
- Knowledge of Aerospace Engineering and Technology Group (ETG) skills and capabilities.
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 diverse 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/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. 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 ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.