Senior Acquisition Engineer and Program Advisor

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 National Systems Group (NSG) serves as the technical adviser to the Intelligence Community (IC) and its mission partners involved in the collection and distribution of national and tactical intelligence, including electronics programs, ground and communications, imagery programs, and systems engineering and launch.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) Policy and Capabilities Directorate identifies, develops, and articulates the path forward for the Intelligence Community (IC). P&C is the IC component responsible for synthesizing community-wide capabilities and policies. P&C prioritizes mission and technology areas to ensure integration across enabling functions such as data management, contracting, acquisitions and research such that the Community is strategically positioned. P&C advances the integration of mission priorities and capability needs across the IC to meet future challenges and opportunities in support of our Nation's security. The Aerospace team supports P&C leadership decision making by delivering insight on the future intelligence environment with fact-based analysis on fact-based analysis on strategic capabilities, acquisitions, and capabilities. Aerospace is looking for a Senior Acquisition Engineer and Program Advisor (Senior Project Engineer - Enterprise Systems Engineering) which will drive Aerospace's impact on the Intelligence Community's space and ground enterprise acquisitions.

This is a full-time position based in the Tyson's area in the National Capital Region, which requires 100% onsite work with the possibility of some assignments at the Aerospace Chantilly Campus.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leverage your technical acumen and soft-people skills in working shoulder to shoulder with our senior customers to develop trusted-partner technical advisory relationships.
• Improve acquisition and operational outcomes by developing innovative, fit-to-need program approaches with supporting analytical planning products
• Advise and guide acquisition planning, oversight and systems engineering functions that span a mission enterprise
• Provide expert technical leadership and management of acquisition processes that span all levels of programs to include Major Systems Acquisitions, Special Interest Acquisitions, Experimental Research Demonstrations, Prototypes, Rapid acquisition, and Software Development
• Provide technical leadership to execute/collaborate on acquisition engineering-related technical deep dives, trade studies, and assessments
• Provide technical leadership to support systems engineering activities that execute requirements gathering, concept development, and analysis of alternatives
• Perform objective analysis of systems-of-systems, space, ground, launch, or Command and Control (C2) systems strategies and designs
• Design solutions to complex problems by interfacing and collaborating with industry leaders and subject matter experts
• Strengthen programs by performing independent program assessments. Work with Aerospace subject matter experts to form and manage teams to deliver strategic analysis and study results for senior customers.
• Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Senior Project Engineer - Enterprise Systems Engineering:

• Bachelor's degree in applicable STEM areas (engineering, Computer Science, Physics) or other relevant disciplines (Management and Policy).
• 10 or more years of applicable experience in engineering, program management or contracting.
• Experience with developing or assessing space systems acquisition strategies, developing or assessing Request for Proposal documents, and in analyzing or assessing proposals
• Experience with systems engineering activities, to include system requirements and concept of operations development, architectural trade-offs, risk and opportunity identification, readiness review principles, integration and verification planning and execution, quality assurance, configuration management
• Experience with program management activities, to include program planning, budgeting, acquisition planning, and analyzing cost, schedule, and performance
• Experience with systems acquisition management disciplines, agile or commercial acquisition practices, and USSF and IC acquisition policies, space systems, and advanced space technologies
• Knowledge of systems-of-systems, space, ground, launch, or C2 systems
• Ability to work in a proactive, self-motivated, and self-directed manner
• Ability to develop project plans, contribute to high-impact work, and balance schedule commitments
• Demonstrated Ability to optimally present complex technical material to senior Department of Defense (DoD) and other U.S. government officials
• This position requires a current and active TS/SCI security clearance and polygraph, 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 from an accredited program in Engineering (or a related STEM field) or Management
• Demonstrated experience in Program Management of large, complex intelligence systems.
• Demonstrated experience with the Intelligence Production cycle and Capabilities related to collection, data management and exploitation applications and capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with other intelligence community and national security space organizations, working groups, or senior leaders.
• Familiarity with IC/NRO acquisition and systems engineering governance and activities
• Acquisition, systems engineering, or program management related certifications (e.g., DAWIA Program Manager Level II, PMP)
• Engagement in acquisition and/or systems engineering recognized professional societies (e.g., INCOSE, SERC)

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)
$151,300.00 - $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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal .