MDA Target Mission Assurance 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.DSG is seeking a Mission Assurance Engineer primarily supporting the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Targets Program.  Target systems are used to test, verify, and validate performance of the missile defense system and include launch vehicles, payloads, and launch support equipment. The objective is to simulate threats ranging from Short Range Ballistic Missiles up to Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles with air and ground launching modes. Target vehicles are critical to demonstrating the operational effectiveness, suitability, and survivability of the missile defense system. The selected candidate will lead Aerospace’s Mission Assurance support leading hardware pedigree reviews, non-conformance assessments, and to provide technical guidance in the design, development, integration, and delivery of threat-representative, reliable, and cost-effective targets for the missile defense system. The selected candidate will work with a combined team of government, private contractors, FFRDC/UARC, and SETA personnel performing mission assurance reviews, engineering design assessment, support development testing, and fielding of targets and payloads to advance the U.S. Missile Defense Capabilities.The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Huntsville, AL or El Segundo, CA.   What You’ll Be Doing Collaborate directly with MDA’s Targets program office to provide agile mission assurance for design, production, testing, and fielding of the threat-representative targetsAssemble teams of appropriate Aerospace subject matter experts to perform assessments of non-compliance, review qualification/acceptance reports and provide recommendations to the Missile Defense AgencyTravel to contractor facilities to perform pedigree review of target subsystems/systems design and mission planning to ensure flight worthinessEvaluate out-of-position work, out-of-sequence work and disposition of non-conformances to assess the impact on mission risk and to provide recommendations to reduce risk.Shape customer and requirements definition for MDA mission assurance flight systems Development, coordination, execution, and approval of technical assessments and analysesThis role is uniquely positioned to ensure MDA flight test campaigns are successfulWhat You Need to be Successful Minimum Requirements for Sr. Project Engineer - Mission Assurance Engineering:Bachelor’s or advanced degree in appropriate engineering, physics, mathematics, or equivalent technical disciplines such as aerospace, electrical, or mechanical or systems engineering12 or more years of experience in launch vehicles or missile systemsDemonstrated experience coordinating and leading multidiscipline technical teams formed to solve complex aerospace challengesFamiliarity with Military, SMC, and Industry testing standards applicable to launch vehiclesMaintain relationships with a diverse Aerospace staff spanning multiple locations and time zones and achieve responsiveness to customer-rapid response taskingCommunicate effectively with senior Customer, Contractor, and Aerospace managementBe cognizant of emerging issues, findings and special technical focus areas that need attentionWilling to travel to Customer or contractor location approx. 20% of the time as requiredThis position requires ability to obtain and maintain Secret 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:Masters or PhD degree in appropriate engineering, physics, mathematics, or equivalent technical disciplinesDirect Mission Assurance Experience - Demonstrated track record leading hardware pedigree reviews, non-conformance assessments, and quality assurance processes for complex aerospace or defense systems, particularly for flight-critical hardwareBallistic Missile or Launch Vehicle Background - Hands-on experience with ballistic missile systems, launch vehicles, or rocket propulsion systems, including familiarity with staging, trajectory analysis, and flight test operations from Short Range to ICBM-class systemsMulti-Organization Leadership Skills - Proven ability to lead technical reviews and coordinate across diverse stakeholder groups including government agencies (especially MDA or DoD), prime contractors, FFRDCs, and SETA support teams in high-stakes programs