Sr. Launch Vehicle Engineer - Sr. Project Leader

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 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.Would you like to be part of a dynamic team of project engineers supporting the execution of National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions? In this position you will help lead a team of talented individuals to provide operational support to NSSL launches and evaluate the certification of launch systems in support of United States Space Force (USSF) programs.This Launch Vehicle Systems Engineer role will provide direct support to the Falcon Chief Engineer in the Launch Systems Operations & Development (LSOD) sub-division responsible for the technical evaluation and flight certification of the SpaceX Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch systems. The position will provide technical leadership and apply launch vehicle systems engineering expertise to assist the Falcon Chief Engineering in ensuring the effective execution of the Aerospace launch verification processes through a range of activities to include Chief Engineer’s Review Boards (ChERB), non-recurring design validation (NRDV) assessments, and launch vehicle flight readiness verification through completion of tasks in the Launch Verification Matrix (LVM). This role also requires management of the continuous configuration evaluation of the Falcon Launch System. LSOD is a sub-division of the Aerospace Launch Systems Directorate, which is responsible for the successful execution of NSSL missions for the USSF and the National Reconnaissance Organization.The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility at Los Angeles Air Force Base.What You’ll Be Doing:Directly support the Falcon Chief Engineer by providing technical leadership and systems engineering expertise to ensure timely mission assurance task execution (e.g. ChERBs, NRDV assessments, and LVM tasks) to support the customer’s launch timelinesAct in a Deputy role to the Falcon CE as needed to mitigate schedule conflictsProvide on-console support for launch rehearsals (ICE) and launch campaignsRepresent the CE in technical meetings with contractors and customersCoordinating tasks and priorities with the CE and management as requiredDevelop and coordinate ChERBs between the seams of component owners or system analystsCoordinate critical milestone reviews to certify vehicles for flight (e.g., Aerospace Readiness Reviews, Aerospace President’s Review, Flight Readiness Reviews and launch site readiness)Offer technical and programmatic consultation and recommendations to the Falcon Chief Engineer, management and customers regarding issues and findings impacting launchDevelop and maintain processes to track and verify launch vehicle configuration Changes, Issues, and RisksEnsure the Falcon Launch System interface, vehicle requirements and documentation are compliant with NSSL program top-level requirementsResponsible for systems engineering tasks such as JIRA development and maintenance (e.g. managing tiger teams, Falcon Change tickets and Risk tickets)Prepare briefings and report certification and mission specific assessments for internal and external reviews as requiredWhat You Need to be Successful Minimum Requirements - Senior Project Leader, Systems and Mission Assurance Engineering:B.S. in Engineering or Physical Science from a recognized institution12 or more years of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific experienceProven experience with manufacturing and production issues related to launch system hardwareProven experience leading diverse and multidisciplinary teams to solve technical issues, especially as related to anomaly and failure investigationsAn active Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance issued by the US government. US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.How You Can Stand OutIt would be impressive if you have one or more of these:Advanced degree in engineering or related fieldProficiency using Jira and Confluence or similar project tracking softwareFamiliarity with NSSL Standard Interface Specification (SIS) and Systems Performance Requirement Document (SPRD) requirementsA broad set of skills to work diverse problems is highly desiredKnowledge and experience in the execution of Aerospace mission assurance processesUnderstanding of launch systems with an emphasis on the Falcon launch systemExperience with systems engineering and verification of requirementsEffective interpersonal, written, and oral communication skillsDemonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of customer and corporate staffWe 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)$155,900.00 - $233,900.00Pay Basis: AnnualLeadership CompetenciesOur 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 StrategicallyLead 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 plansPaid holidays, sick time, and vacationStandard and alternate work schedules, including telework options401(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 hireFlexible spending accountsVariable pay program for exceptional contributionsRelocation assistanceProfessional growth and development programs to help advance your careerEducation assistance programsAn inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respectWe 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.

Created: 2026-02-06