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.

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.

The Sr. Agile Software Test Engineer in the Space Rapid Capabilities Directorate within the Agile Acquisition Division will support the testing and integration of critical ground system software for the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (Space RCO). The Space RCO is rapidly developing and fielding highly classified critical space capabilities for the space enterprise. The Sr. Agile Software Test Engineer will actively participate in all phases of the ground development to ensure operationally dominant space capabilities are delivered at the speed of warfighting relevance. This includes technical support for assisting with developing the test strategy, verifying that the strategy is followed, providing recommendations on how to improve and increase the speed of the testing, providing engineering support and contractor oversight of the testing, and working with mission delta 9 and STARCOM.

This is a 100% onsite position located at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, New Mexico or in Colorado Springs.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Collaborate with product owners, system engineers, and software developers to review requirements, user stories, and acceptance criteria for space and ground software
• Support the design and execution of the integration, regression, and exploratory tests for mission‑critical satellite ground applications (e.g., ground control, mission planning, modeling and simulation, data processing)
• Apply agile testing practices (test‑first, risk‑based testing) within Scrum or Kanban teams to ensure features are testable, verifiable, and traceable to requirements
• Work closely with design agents to integrate automated tests into build, deployment, and verification workflows in a commercial cloud environment
• Analyze test results, document defects with clear reproduction steps and impact assessment, and collaborate with product owners to drive timely resolution
• Participate in agile meetings (backlog refinement, sprint planning, daily standups, reviews, and retrospectives)
• Coordinate with Government, SETA, and contractor teams to field a critical ground system
• Support program reviews, design, development, test, and transition to operations efforts
• Provide mission assurance and assist with ground architecture development and integration
• Work closely with Program Manager (O-5)
• Solicit and oversee members of the Aerospace Engineering Technical Group (ETG) to employ their expertise on critical problems the local program office may find difficult to solve
• Interface with multiple government agencies to provide capability to the warfighter

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Senior Project Engineer – Systems Test Engineering:

• BS degree in engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, or related STEM field is required
• Agile software development with test experience
• 12 or more years of progressively responsible experience in systems engineering
• Demonstrated ability to work within teams
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly dynamic Program Office environment with a mix of government, FFRDC, and SETA personnel
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills; experience presenting and writing technical information
• Travel is required
• This position requires a current TS/SCI security clearance with SAP eligibility, which is issued by the US 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:

• Advanced degree in technical discipline (engineering, science or math)
• Extensive satellite operations experience to include satellite ground system development and testing
• An excellent personal technical reputation and a record of personal technical achievement
• Program office and management experience
• Working knowledge of expertise from across the Aerospace corporation, especially subject matter experts and laboratory operations with the ability to support customer needs

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)

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 [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.