Structures Project Engineer/Sr. Structures Project Engineer

El Segundo, CA April 2, 2026 Full Time Workday (With Eightfold Ai Talent Network)
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. Launch Systems Operations and Development (LSOD) is seeking a Structures Project Engineer/Sr. Structures Project Engineer acts as senior technical authority, consultant, primary investigator, and team leader in evaluating launch vehicle structures and mechanical systems in support of National Security Space (NSS) missions. You’ll lead and organize interactions between the customer (Space Force/OSL), Aerospace technical staff, and contractors, and will coordinate large-scale multidisciplinary activities to support recurring operations and/or non-recurring design validation activities for launch vehicles within LSOD (e.g., Falcon, New Glenn, Starship). The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA. What You’ll Be Doing Manage structures and mechanical systems including metallic structures, composite structures, pressure vessels, separation systems, moving mechanical assemblies, actuators, and ordnance Coordinate multi-disciplinary engineering teams to ensure that launch vehicle designs, analysis, testing, and documentation are compliant with Space Force requirements Lead and facilitate collaborative efforts between the Space Force and launch vehicle providers to evaluate their operational capability Provide technical advice and recommendations to resolve or mitigate risk associated with structures and mechanical systems used on vehicles to launch NSS missions Effectively communicate status and progress of technical activities, issues, and accomplishments through reports and briefings to Aerospace, Space Force/OSL, and contractor teams Build and maintain close working relationships with the Aerospace team, Space Force counterparts, contractors, and representatives from other government agencies Work with management to develop resource allocations plans and schedules What You Need to be Successful Minimum Requirements for Aerospace Structural Engineering - Project Engineer: Bachelor's of Science degree in mechanical engineering/structural mechanics or related field from a recognized institution 8 or more years of applicable experience with increasing responsibility Experience with design and testing of structures and/or mechanical systems Must have experience coordinating and/or participating in multi-disciplinary technical efforts Extensive knowledge of structures and/or mechanical systems engineering standards Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site approximately 25% of the time This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Aerospace Structural Engineering – Sr Project Engineer include: 12 or more years of applicable experience with increasing responsibility Experience with design and testing of structures and mechanical systems Must have experience coordinating/leading multi-disciplinary technical team efforts Extensive knowledge of structures and mechanical systems engineering standards How You Can Stand Out It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: Advanced degree in mechanical engineering/structural mechanics from a recognized institution Experience with testing/analysis of structures and mechanical systems used on launch vehicles Experience with systems engineering and verification of requirements Knowledge and experience with Aerospace launch verification processes for both recurring operations and non-recurring design validation 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) $117,300.00 - $226,900.00 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 [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. Right Place The Aerospace Corporation has over 26 locations nationwide, which allows us to build a workforce that will nurture the best ideas, and generate the most novel innovations and solutions to our nation’s toughest space enterprise challenges. Right Path Aerospace covers all stages of the space lifecycle, from concept to operations. We believe our people are our most valuable resource and that’s why we propel our employees forward in their careers through ongoing education, training, and professional development. Right Purpose We can all serve a mission much greater than ourselves, and at Aerospace that is exactly what we do. By hiring the industry’s most preeminent scientists and engineers, Aerospace advances emerging technologies that protect some of the most critical missions on Earth and above it. Return to the Aerospace Careers site. Aerospace employees working in organizations with technical responsibilities are required to obtain a Security Clearance. U.S. citizenship is required for those positions.
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How to Get Hired at The Aerospace Corporation

  • The Aerospace Corporation is a ~4,500-person nonprofit FFRDC primarily sponsored by the US Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office, with additional work for NASA, NOAA, MDA, and the intelligence community; headquarters is in Chantilly, VA with the largest technical site in El Segundo, CA.
  • All applications flow through Workday at aerospace.org/careers (aero.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/External), with an Eightfold-powered talent network at talent.aerospace.org for AI-matched recommendations and clearance-holder communities.
How to apply to The Aerospace Corporation

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