Aerospace Engineer -- Senior

Job Description

Job Description

Mainsail is seeking an Aerospace Engineer (Senior) to provide technical advisory support to the United States Space Force (USSF), Space Systems Command (SSC), Space Sensing (SN), System Delta 84 (SYD 84), Missile Warning/Missile Tracking (MW/MT) Program , with a primary focus on Epoch 1 capabilities.

Epoch 1 represents a critical component of the Nation's evolving missile warning and missile tracking architecture, delivering advanced space-based sensing capabilities that support strategic warning, missile defense, integrated deterrence, and combatant commander mission requirements. This position serves as a senior engineering advisor supporting the development, acquisition, integration, test, and fielding of Epoch 1 systems and associated mission capabilities.

The successful candidate will lead assigned engineering efforts, evaluate technical baselines and contractor performance, assess technical risks and opportunities, and provide decision-quality analyses and recommendations to Government engineers, program managers, and senior leadership.

Job Description

• Lead assigned systems engineering and technical integration efforts supporting Epoch 1 acquisition and mission objectives.
• Assess and coordinate technical interfaces among space, ground, communications, and mission-processing segments to support end-to-end mission performance.
• Apply systems engineering methodologies across concept development, requirements definition, architecture development, design, integration, verification, validation, test, operations, and sustainment activities.
• Analyze system requirements, operational concepts, interfaces, and technical baselines to ensure alignment with mission objectives and program requirements.
• Develop, decompose, and assess technical requirements while maintaining requirements traceability, verification, and compliance status.
• Review and assess technical specifications, Systems Engineering Plans (SEPs), Interface Control Documents (ICDs), Integrated Master Plans and Schedules (IMPs/IMSs), verification documentation, and test products for technical adequacy and consistency.
• Evaluate technical performance, schedule execution, requirements verification, system integration activities, and technical risks and identify issues requiring Government attention.
• Conduct engineering analyses, technical assessments, trade studies, and independent evaluations to support Government acquisition and engineering decisions.
• Support spacecraft, payload, ground system, launch, communications, mission-processing, and mission-partner integration activities.
• Participate in Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs), Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), design reviews, readiness reviews, and technical working groups.
• Support planning and execution of developmental testing, integration testing, operational testing, and mission readiness activities.
• Assess contractor technical performance, engineering maturity, integration readiness, and compliance with Government requirements.
• Develop technical reports, briefings, white papers, technical assessments, and decision-support products for Government stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior and mid-level engineers supporting the program.

Required Qualifications

• U.S. Citizen.
• Active Secret security clearance.
• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 8-15 years of professional engineering experience supporting aerospace, defense, space systems, National Security Space, or related technical programs.
• Demonstrated experience in systems engineering, technical integration, requirements development, verification and validation, and technical risk management.
• Experience supporting complex aerospace, space, missile warning, missile tracking, OPIR, missile defense, or related acquisition programs.
• Experience reviewing contractor engineering products and providing technical assessments to Government stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, technical writing, communication, and briefing skills.
• Ability to work independently while coordinating with Government, FFRDC, SETA, and contractor teams.
• Ability to support on-site Government activities in El Segundo, CA; Boulder, CO; Peterson Space Force Base, CO; or other Government locations as required.
• Ability to support CONUS and OCONUS travel in support of Government priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience supporting United States Space Force, Space Systems Command, Space Sensing, Air Force, Missile Defense Agency, or other Department of Defense acquisition organizations.
• Experience supporting Missile Warning, Missile Tracking, OPIR, SBIRS, Next Gen OPIR, FORGE, missile defense, or related National Security Space missions.
• Experience supporting spacecraft, payload, ground system, mission processing, communications, launch, or mission integration activities.
• Experience supporting System Requirements Reviews (SRR), Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR), Critical Design Reviews (CDR), Test Readiness Reviews (TRR), Operational Readiness Reviews (ORR), or mission readiness reviews.
• Familiarity with Department of Defense acquisition processes and Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) activities.
• Experience supporting Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), digital engineering, or requirements management initiatives.
• Experience supporting software-intensive acquisition programs, DevSecOps environments, or mission processing capabilities.
• Familiarity with configuration management, mission assurance, system safety, cyber resiliency, or technical risk management practices.
• Experience supporting technical baseline management and enterprise-level system integration activities.

Desired Technical Specialties

• Missile Warning Architectures
• Missile Tracking Architectures
• Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Systems
• Systems Engineering
• Mission Integration
• Systems Integration
• Space Vehicle Systems
• Payload Engineering
• Ground Systems Engineering
• Requirements Development and Management
• Verification and Validation
• Test and Evaluation
• Technical Risk Management
• Mission Assurance
• Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
• Digital Engineering
• Enterprise Mission Analysis
• SETA Support to Government Acquisition Programs
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple technical efforts simultaneously.
• Demonstrated adaptability in support of evolving mission priorities and acquisition schedules.
• Experience mentoring and providing technical guidance across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Desired Certifications

• International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP) or Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) certification.
• Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Defense Acquisition University (DAU) certification in Systems Engineering, Program Management, or related acquisition disciplines.

Working Conditions

• Dynamic office environment supporting Government acquisition, mission integration, and engineering activities.
• Regular participation in technical reviews, cross-program working groups, and Government meetings.
• Frequent coordination with Government, FFRDC, SETA, and contractor organizations across multiple programs and mission areas.
• Occasional support outside normal business hours to accommodate program milestones, integration events, testing activities, operational exercises, or mission-critical activities.
• Travel up to approximately 10% in support of Government objectives.

Company Description

MAINSAIL Group provides systems engineering and technical assistance, advisory and assistance services, and program management support to Air Force, Space Force and Navy customers. MAINSAIL and its joint ventures manage Secret, Top Secret, SCI and Special Access Program requirements at customer sites across the United States.

MAINSAIL Group provides systems engineering and technical assistance, advisory and assistance services, and program management support to Air Force, Space Force and Navy customers. MAINSAIL and its joint ventures manage Secret, Top Secret, SCI and Special Access Program requirements at customer sites across the United States.

Company Description

MAINSAIL Group provides systems engineering and technical assistance, advisory and assistance services, and program management support to Air Force, Space Force and Navy customers. MAINSAIL and its joint ventures manage Secret, Top Secret, SCI and Special Access Program requirements at customer sites across the United States.