ESS Space Systems Futures Project Leader

ESS Program Overview ESS Program seeks a Space Systems Futures Project Leader to serve as a technical advisor for eXtended Data Rate-Persistent Assured Command Control and Communications Kit (X-PACK) acquisition within an integrated program office supporting the U.S. Space Force. ESS is a communications satellite program for resilient, reliable, and secure communications for NC3 users worldwide; X-PACK is a prototyping program to disaggregate ESS requirements and deliver capability incrementally. This role requires a highly motivated person willing to learn and lean into acquisition transformation, be interested in innovative solutions and emerging technologies, provide technical advisory services to government customers, and ensure alignment between acquisition strategies and mission capability requirements. The selected candidate will work full‑time on‑site at our facility in El Segundo, CA. What You’ll Be Doing Provide insight to Aerospace leadership and the customer on prime contractor execution status, risks, issues, and opportunities for X-PACK. Maintain effective working relationships with customer leadership, contractors, ETG and other supporting contractors. Manage allocated resources to prioritize tasking for ETG subject‑matter experts. Deliver, in collaboration with ETG, technical position papers, design assessments, and briefings on technical, cost, and schedule risk to the program relating to design and implementation. Coordinate ETG support to work with contractors in the study phase to help them understand the requirements for the materiel solution. Act as a technical advisor to the Space Force customer and X-PACK contractors on architecture and performance. Serve as integration leader and/or coordinator of technical teams and act as spokesperson for working groups to management and customers. Monitor and assess contractor performance and delivery of the products and/or services. Apply systems engineering principles in support of the design and execution phases of the program. What You Need to be Successful Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or science from a recognized institution or a related STEM field. Eight or more years of escalating responsibilities in professional engineering/scientific experience working across government programs. Track record demonstrating space systems engineering skills, including the ability to understand, explain, and present how specific issues relate to the broader program. Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in multidisciplinary teams that include colleagues, government, and contractor personnel. Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to develop technical materials and present to key stakeholders and senior leaders; writing sample and presentation required. Ability to travel to contractor and vendor facilities as required. Active Secret clearance issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship required to obtain a security clearance. How You Can Stand Out Experience with mission assurance principles and practices. Familiarity with IEEE 15288.2 (IEEE Standard for Application of Systems Engineering on Defense Programs). Understanding of space system acquisition. MILSATCOM program office experience. Experience with satellite communication hardware and/or digital/analog waveform processing. Familiarity with Aerospace culture and prior experience coordinating with Engineering & Technology Group (ETG). Advanced technical degree in engineering, science, physics, or related field. Compensation Salary range: $132,900.00 – $199,300.00 (annual, Pay Basis: Annual). Individual salaries within this range are determined by education, experience, knowledge and skills. Benefits Comprehensive health care and wellness plans. Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation. Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options. 401(k) plan with company‑paid contributions of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service; matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested. Flexible spending accounts.Variable pay program for exceptional contributions. Relocation assistance. Professional growth and development programs to advance your career. Education assistance programs. Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect. 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 are 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 View phone number on click.appcast.io or by email at View email address on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr The Aerospace Corporation