Sr. Communication 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. 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. **Join the Special Programs Division of Aerospace's Defense Systems Group to shape the future of US space dominance.** Working within the US Space Force (USSF) Space Combat Power Program Executive Office (SCP PEO), the **Sr. Communication Systems Engineer** will provide upstream technical leadership on high-stakes national security programs. Translate warfighter needs into reality and ensure our next-gen communication, electromagnetic warfare, and cyber systems prevail in contested space environments. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA, co-located with the USSF Space Systems Command. **What You’ll Be Doing** - **Own the Technical Baseline:** Be the go-to technical authority on a US Space Force system and its RF chains, advanced signal processing, and link budgets. Directly guide the USSF in defining and acquiring next-generation mission capabilities. - **Drive National Impact:** Lead high-stakes evaluations of vendor proposals. Provide insight into and influence over contractor execution of a program. Ensure performance of a system from its initial architecture to its final sell-off and operations. - **Bridge the Enterprise:** Partner with acquisition, intelligence, and operational communities to ensure seamless integration of a system within a coordinated enterprise of other space and ground systems. - **Mitigate Risk & Innovate:** Inform critical decisions, conduct independent risk assessments, and develop strategic plans to overcome complex technical, cost, and scheduling hurdles. - **Leverage World-Class Labs:** Collaborate with specialists from Aerospace’s Engineering & Technology Group (ETG) and leverage elite laboratory capabilities to solve the nation's most difficult technical challenges. - **Technical Authority & Mentorship:** Influence senior leadership and mission partners through expert-level reports and briefings. Actively mentor and develop the next generation of space engineers. **What You Need to be Successful** *Minimum Requirements for Sr. Project Engineer – Communication Systems Engineering:* - Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, or a closely related technical field. - 12 or more years of engineering experience with demonstrated expertise in RF systems, signal processing, or satellite communications for government or defense programs. - Abi…