Mainsail is seeking an Aerospace Engineer (Mid-Level) to provide technical advisory support to the United States Space Force (USSF), Space Systems Command (SSC), Space Sensing (SN), System Delta 84 (SYD 84), Missile Tracking (MT) Program. SYD 84 acquires and sustains Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) and Weather space systems that support military and intelligence community missions.
This position plays a key role in supporting the Government customer with systems engineering, mission integration, space vehicle, payload, ground system, test, and mission readiness activities across the Missile Tracking lifecycle. The successful candidate will support assigned technical efforts, develop technical analyses and products for Government review, assess engineering risks and opportunities, and provide recommendations to Government engineers, program managers, and leadership.
Job Description
- Assess and coordinate technical interfaces among space, ground, communications, and mission processing segments to support end-to-end mission performance.
- Support assigned systems engineering efforts and develop technical products for Government review and action.
- Apply systems engineering processes and methodologies across concept development, requirements definition, architecture development, design, integration, verification, validation, test, operations, and sustainment activities.
- Develop, analyze, and decompose technical requirements and maintain requirements traceability, verification, and compliance status.
- Review and assess technical specifications, Systems Engineering Plans (SEPs), Integrated Master Plans and Schedules (IMPs/IMSs), Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and test documentation for technical adequacy, completeness, and consistency.
- Evaluate technical performance, requirements verification, interfaces, schedule execution, technical risks, and mission readiness, and identify issues requiring Government awareness or action.
- Participate in technical interchange meetings (TIMs), design reviews, readiness reviews, Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), and working groups to support program execution and technical decision-making.
- Conduct engineering analyses, trade studies, technical assessments, and test planning activities to support Government acquisition and engineering decisions.
- Support integration activities involving spacecraft, payloads, ground systems, launch interfaces, and mission partners.
- Develop technical reports, briefings, assessments, meeting materials, and action-item tracking products for Government stakeholders.
- Review engineering products for technical accuracy, completeness, and compliance with program objectives.
Required Qualifications
- U.S. Citizen.
- Active Secret security clearance.
- 3-10 years of experience and Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or a related technical field.
- Relevant experience supporting aerospace, space systems, systems engineering, mission integration, or related technical disciplines commensurate with a Mid-Level Aerospace Engineering role.
- Knowledge of systems engineering processes throughout the system lifecycle, including requirements development, architecture, design, integration, verification, validation, test, operations, and sustainment.
- Experience reviewing technical documentation and developing technical assessments, analyses, and recommendations.
- Ability to assess technical, schedule, interface, and mission risks and communicate impacts to Government stakeholders.
- Strong analytical, technical writing, briefing, and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with Government, FFRDC, SETA, and contractor personnel.
- Ability to support on-site Government activities in El Segundo, CA; Boulder, CO; Peterson SFB, CO; or other Government locations as required.
- Ability to travel CONUS and OCONUS in support of Government priorities.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience supporting United States Space Force-Space Systems Command, Air Force, Space Force, or other Department of Defense acquisition organizations.
- Experience supporting missile warning, missile tracking, missile defense, Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR), environmental monitoring, or related National Security Space missions.
- Experience with spacecraft, payload, ground system, launch, mission operations, or mission integration activities.
- Experience supporting System Requirements Reviews (SRR), Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR), Critical Design Reviews (CDR), Test Readiness Reviews (TRR), Operational Readiness Reviews (ORR), or mission readiness reviews.
- Familiarity with the Department of Defense acquisition lifecycle and Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) processes.
- Experience reviewing contractor engineering products and providing recommendations to Government leadership.
- Experience supporting software-intensive acquisition programs, digital engineering initiatives, or DevSecOps environments.
- Familiarity with requirements management, configuration management, mission assurance, system safety, or technical risk management processes.
Desired Technical Specialties
- Systems Engineering
- Mission Integration
- Systems Integration
- Requirements Development and Management
- Space Vehicle Systems
- Payload Engineering
- Ground Systems Engineering
- Test and Evaluation
- Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
- Digital Engineering
- Technical Risk Management
- Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Architectures
- SETA Support to Government Acquisition Programs
- Ability to manage and prioritize multiple technical efforts simultaneously.
- Demonstrated adaptability in support of evolving mission priorities and acquisition schedules.
Desired Certifications
- International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP) or Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) certification.
- Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
- Defense Acquisition University (DAU) certification in Systems Engineering, Program Management, or related acquisition disciplines.
Working Conditions
- Dynamic office environment supporting Government acquisition, mission integration, and engineering activities.
- Regular participation in technical reviews, cross-program working groups, and Government meetings.
- Frequent coordination with Government, FFRDC, SETA, and contractor organizations across multiple programs and mission areas.
- Occasional support outside normal business hours to accommodate program milestones, integration events, testing activities, operational exercises, or mission-critical activities.
- Travel up to approximately 10% in support of Government objectives.
Company Description
MAINSAIL Group provides systems engineering and technical assistance, advisory and assistance services, and program management support to Air Force, Space Force and Navy customers. MAINSAIL and its joint ventures manage Secret, Top Secret, SCI and Special Access Program requirements at customer sites across the United States.
MAINSAIL Group provides systems engineering and technical assistance, advisory and assistance services, and program management support to Air Force, Space Force and Navy customers. MAINSAIL and its joint ventures manage Secret, Top Secret, SCI and Special Access Program requirements at customer sites across the United States.
