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 Material 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 directly influence the next era of national security.
As an Aerospace Sr. Communication Systems Engineer working with the United States Space Force (USSF) Rapid Reaction Branch (RRB) team, you will work closely with the government Test Director as a principal technical leader for high-stakes test and evaluation (T&E) initiatives. In this role, you will bridge the gap between warfighter requirements and mission reality-ensuring our next-generation communication, electromagnetic warfare, and cyber systems are fully prepared to dominate in contested space environments.
The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at the facility for RRB near Aerospace's campus in Colorado Springs, CO.
What You'll Be Doing
- Deliver Rapid Capabilities: Serve as a core member of a mission-focused team fielding high-priority capabilities against Urgent Operational Needs (UONs) for Combatant Commands.
- Drive T&E Strategy: Act as the subject matter authority for testing rapidly fielded USSF systems - supervising test planning, execution, and reporting while developing innovative T&E approaches to evaluate tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) against emerging threats.
- Direct Theater Test Operations: Lead developmental test execution at deployed locations, adapting to evolving conditions while overseeing data collection, analysis, daily situation reports (SITREPs), and final test reporting.
- Secure & Coordinate Test Resources: Partner with RRB development teams to identify necessary resources and engage the 25th Space Range Squadron (25 SRS) and the Operational Test and Training Infrastructure (OTTI) Program Executive Office (PEO) to secure test and training environments.
- Author High-Level Approval Packages: Draft sensitive T&E approval documentation - up to the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) or Secretary of the Air Force (SECAF) levels - coordinating across acquisition, intelligence, legal, and operational stakeholders to validate TTPs in the field.
- Lead Test Readiness Reviews: Own test readiness review (TRR) planning and execution, from scheduling and board coordination through documentation, presentation, and action closure.
- Provide Technical Authority & Mentorship: Brief senior leadership and mission partners on high-impact findings and mentor the next generation of space engineers.
What You Need to be Successful Minimum Requirements for Sr. Project Engineer - Communications Systems Engineering:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, or a related technical discipline
- 10 or more years of hands-on engineering experience, featuring deep domain expertise in testing RF systems, signal processing, or satellite communications within defense/government programs.
- Willingness and ability to travel up to 15% of the time to engage with key stakeholders, mission partners, and deployed test sites, which include locations that are outside the contiguous United States (OCONUS).
- This position requires an active TS/SCI security clearance and the ability to be granted and maintain accesses to Special Access Programs (SAPs), issued by the US government. US 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:
- SAP Access: Current or prior access to SAPs.
- EW/Cyber T&E: Proven track record in applying DoD test and evaluation principles to communication, electromagnetic warfare (EW), and cyber operation systems across US Space Force architectures.
- Test Documentation: Skilled in authoring test plans and procedures, leading data collection and analysis, documenting discrepancies/corrective actions, and delivering decision-ready test reports.
- SATCOM/VSAT: Hands-on experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting satellite communication (SATCOM) systems - including very small aperture terminal (VSAT) equipment - in deployed environments.
- Technical Toolset: Proficiency in Linux, network analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark), and Python for scripting test events, real-time monitoring, and log analysis.
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) $176,400.00 - $264,600.00Pay Basis: Annual 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 equalopportunity 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,geneticinformation, 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 emailat peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org .You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.
The Aerospace Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. 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 ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review The Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law and the supplement, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement. Apply at: https://ipc.us/t/49827B3DAB5F4DF4.
