Defense Contractor Physics Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 (SPD) Spectrum Systems Subdivision in Aerospace's Defense Systems Group (DSG). Deliver national impacts as a go-to Sr. Cybersecurity Architect working in the United States Space Force's esteemed Space Combat Power Program Executive Office. You'll have upstream influence in shaping and defining high-stakes defense contracts critical to national security. Working within a space-focused acquisition program office, you will translate warfighter needs into reality, ensuring the next generation of communication, electromagnetic warfare, and cyber operation systems are mission ready to prevail in a contested space environment. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA. Aerospace's El Segundo facilities are located next to the Los Angeles Air Force Base, which is the home of the USSF Space Systems Command. What You'll Be Doing * Own the Technical Baseline: Use your expertise to think offensively and defensively about the cybersecurity of space systems and ground systems to ensure the Space Force remains a smart buyer of cutting-edge commercial and defense contractor capabilities.
* National Space Enterprise Collaboration: Effectively partner with the acquisition, operational, test, intelligence, and concept design communities to ensure new systems integrate seamlessly with existing space and ground segments.
* Mission Analysis & Requirements: Drive operational mission analyses and assessments of alternatives to translate warfighter needs into clear system requirements, statements of work, interface requirements, and performance metrics.
* Contractor Oversight & Verification: Lead technical evaluations of vendor proposals and monitor execution to ensure contractor architecture and design meet rigorous performance standards.
* Risk & Opportunity Management: Proactively identify and develop handling plans for technical, cost, and schedule risks to ensure mission success.
* Test & Evaluation Leadership: Plan and oversee critical test events and review evaluation artifacts to verify that complex system requirements are fully met.
* Leverage World-Class Labs: Take the initiative to integrate specialists from Aerospace's Engineering & Technology Group (ETG), using elite laboratory capabilities to solve the nation's most difficult technical challenges.
* Technical Authority & Mentorship: Communicate system capabilities and constraints through expert-level reports and briefings, while sharing your knowledge to develop the next generation of engineers. What You Need to be Successful Minimum Requirements Sr. Project Engineer - Cyber Security Architecture: * Bachelor's degree in a technical/STEM-related field such as electrical engineering, computer science, physics, or mathematics.
* 12 or more years of experience in the national security space and cybersecurity
* Ability to travel up to 15% of the time.
* This position requires an active TS/SCI security clearance and the ability to be granted and maintain accesses to Special Access Programs. Clearances and accesses are issued by the US government. US citizenship is a minimum requirement to obtain a security clearance and receive additional accesses. How You Can Stand Out It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: * Current or previous accesses to Special Access Programs.
* An advanced degree in a relevant technical area.
* In-depth knowledge of DoD acquisitions, satellite communication systems, electromagnetic warfare, cyber operations, battle management and command & control cloud software architectures, Space Systems Command specs and standards, or a combination thereof. 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)
$166,400.00 - $249,600.00 Pay 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 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 . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal .