Enterprise Architect/Ground Systems Engineer

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.

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. 

The Environmental Remote Sensing directorate works closely with NOAA Satellite programs to transform earth observations into actionable information for weather forecasts and warnings.  We are looking for a highly experienced Enterprise Architect/Ground Systems Engineer (MTS Retiree Casual III– Systems Engineering) to bridge the gap between ground architecture model developers and NOAA Satellite Ground Systems subject matter experts, particularly in translating future satellite architecture scenarios into technical requirements and concepts of operations to enable rapid algorithm updates. The successful candidate will provide crucial oversight to ensure model outputs are consistent with expectations and can accurately assess the value dimension of trade studies, enabling informed decisions about cost-effective changes in NOAA’s ground system. The successful candidate will help tailor the models so that the benefits, costs and risks associated with Artificial Intelligence enabled technologies and harnessing commercial capabilities (Ground System as a Service) are incorporated. The successful candidate will assist with extending this model capability to other government agencies associated with satellite ground system operations, and mentor/train early and mid-career enterprise architects/ground systems engineers for this exciting field. 

The selected candidate will be required to work part-time remote with some onsite work required in Silver Spring, MD.

What You’ll Be Doing  

• Working closely with NOAA Satellite program leadership, ground engineers and scientists to understand future architecture scenarios and translate them into technical requirements to optimize current and planned ground system capabilities 
• Ensure ground system cost-value models appropriately assess the value dimensions of trades between architecture scenarios, particularly in the realm of commercial services versus government owned and operated. 
• Update cost-value models to incorporate savings achievable by using the latest technologies associated with Artificial Intelligence 
• Provide recommendations for extending cost-value models beyond NOAA customers   
• Mentor and train early and mid-career cost-value ground system engineers and architects 

What You Need to be Successful  

Minimum Requirements: 

• Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or related field  
• 10 or more years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including experience in a systems engineering and program lifecycle environment  
• Deep knowledge of satellite ground systems, both government and commercially owned/operated 
• An authority on all types of Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) documentation in the Government and extensive experience developing operational use cases for major system acquisitions  
• Deep knowledge of NOAA Satellite programs and ground systems 
• Experience running cost-value scenarios associated with ground system architecture 
• This position may require the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. 

How You Can Stand Out  

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: 

• PhD degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field  
• Experience developing cost-value models associated with ground system architecture  
• Experience reviewing trades associated with NOAA Ground System architecture decisions 

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)

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 [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.