Nuclear Surety and Certification 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.

Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, development planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape the future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including US Space Force, U.S Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers but also horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. DSG also assists 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 Nuclear Operations Directorate is seeking a Nuclear Surety and Certification engineer to support the Nuclear Technology and Interagency Directorate. This position will primarily support the Surety and Certification Division (AFNWC/NTS) and the Nuclear Mission Assurance Division (NTX). This position reports to the System Director for Nuclear Systems at Albuquerque, New Mexico and provides technical engineering and program management support to USAF organizations on nuclear surety operations and system engineering functions to the US Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirtland AFB, NM.

Work Model:The majority of work will be performed onsite at a government facility at Kirtland, AFB, NM or the Aerospace facility at Cityplace in Albuquerque, with opportunities to work from home. The other location where work will be performed is at Hill, AFB in Layton, Utah.

What You'll Be Doing

• The specific work would include providing technical support to nuclear surety and mission assurance oversight, systems engineering, integration, and detailed technical analyses of on-going and proposed modifications and upgrades to the Minuteman III and Sentinel weapon systems.
• The candidate will be directly supporting The Nuclear Technology and Integration Directorate, Surety and Certification Division (AFNWC/NTS). This division is responsible for managing the Air Force's Nuclear Certification Program and leading development initiatives for all nuclear certification activities within the Air Force.
• The successful candidate will be required to interface directly with senior military and US Government civilian leadership at the ICBM Directorate (AFNWC/NI), Minuteman III (NIM) and Sentinel (NIX) SPOs, as well as in the Nuclear Technology and Interagency Directorate (AFNWC/NT) to execute support tasks, lead Aerospace study and analysis teams, and support the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center.
• The candidate will be able to provide detailed technical assessments of current, new, and proposed technology efforts for ICBMs as well as assisting with developing nuclear surety requirements for future technologies. The candidate will also be comfortable working on ill-defined problems with many variables.
• The candidate will be knowledgeable and proficient in the current Unauthorized Launch studies and will lead and provide detailed technical analyses on the MMIII nuclear command and control system (including Airborne Launch Control System), security systems, targeting processes, codes and cryptography systems, and launch systems to include detailed analyses on Launch Control Centers and Launch Facilities
• The candidate will perform complex and comprehensive analyses through uses of systematic, disciplined and quantifiable approaches, to include DAF digital transformation, across the ICBM nuclear surety enterprise The candidate will be knowledgeable of Air Force Nuclear Red Team processes, tools, and analytical approaches and will provide advice and recommendations on potential integration of the Red Team and Nuclear Certification

What You Need to be Successful- Senior Member of Technical Staff, Systems and Modeling & Simulation Engineering

Minimum Requirements:

• A current Top Secret/SCI clearance with SAP experience is required
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or an appropriate technical discipline from a recognized institution
• 3 or more years of increasingly responsible and related engineering/scientific experience
• Proven Experience in the DoD Nuclear Surety Program and in Air Force Nuclear Surety and Certification including the Four DoD nuclear surety standards and the Air Force nuclear compatibility certification processes (including requirements generation, verification, and technical analyses) across an ICBM nuclear weapon's Stockpile-To-Target Sequence (STS)
• Proficient in Model Based Systems Engineering with expertise using SysML via Cameo Systems Modeler
• Proficient in programming languages to include MATLAB, LabVIEW, and Python
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work in integrated Government/FFRDC/SETA teams
• Ability to interact directly with senior Government management andto work autonomously in a program office and highly secure environments.
• A demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and complete tasks on short timelines
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers.
• Nuclear Surety, Nuclear Certification, Nuclear Weapons Safety, Systems Engineering, and Mission Assurance background and expertise required.
• Up to 50% travel may be required to domestic US locations

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Advanced Degree in STEM field (Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering is highly preferred)
• Previous experience with Nuclear Command and Control, Cryptologic Device Certification, Supply Chain Risk Assessment, Cyber Security, Risk and Vulnerability Analysis, Nuclear Weapons Systems Safety, ICBM Code Processing Systems, Unauthorized Launch Analysis, Technical Nuclear Safety Analyses, and Independent Nuclear Surety Evaluations is highly desired.
• Previous experience supporting acquisition and operation of strategic weapons systems
• Knowledge of Aerospace ETG capabilities and experience with identifying tasks and managing ETG support

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
• A 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 equalopportunity 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,geneticinformation, 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 emailat peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org .You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.