Sr. Space Control Technical 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 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 Material 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.

DSG is seeking a Sr. Space Control Technical Advisor tasked with providing direct technical support to the Capabilities Development Directorate in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration (SAF/SQS) and the Headquarters Space Force Directorate of Strategy, Plans, Programs, and Requirements Operational Capability Requirements Division (HQSF/S5R).  The selected candidate will serve as an on-site resource for the Government to explore and assess various strategically focused mission concepts and capabilities. This position leverages Aerospace program office and Engineering and Technology Group (ETG) reach back for technical support to provide valuable expertise on capability needs, requirements, and program acquisition, to inform the Department of the Air Force (DAF) plans, programs, funding, and policies.  This role offers the opportunity to directly influence the future of national security space capabilities and contribute to some of the Department of War’s most critical and technically advanced mission areas. The successful candidate will help shape next-generation requirements for future Space Force capabilities and space superiority architectures supporting warfighter needs in an increasingly contested domain.

Aerospace serves in a technical and programmatic advisory role to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration (SAF/SQ) responsible for the decisions and oversight for the development, acquisition, and fielding of capabilities for the United States Space Force, the United States Space Command and the joint warfighter to accelerate the Department of War’s readiness and preserve America’s comprehensive military advantage in, from and through the space domain.  Additionally, Aerospace provides technical support to the Force Application mission area for HQSF/S5R and assists the division adapting to the evolving Service and Joint requirements processes following the disestablishment of the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development (JCIDS). In addition to directly supporting senior leadership at the Pentagon, Aerospace also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space security enterprise.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide technical and programmatic advisory support to SAF/SQ and HQSF/S5/8 leadership on requirements, acquisition strategies, program execution, and capability integration for space superiority and combat power mission areas
• Advise senior government decision-makers on the development and sustainment of space control, Space C2, and SDA capability portfolios and programs
• Provide technical understanding on emerging capabilities, system performance, operational concepts, and integration of systems across classified and unclassified environments
• Support portfolio-level analysis of space warfighting systems, including sensors, command and control systems, battle management capabilities, and defensive/offensive space control technologies
• Assist with program capability, systems engineering and other acquisition reviews and decision support activities
• Provide technical support to the Space Force requirements development for the Force Application and Space Control related mission areas including Orbital Warfare (OW), Electromagnetic Warfare (EW), and Cyberspace Warfare (CW).
• Assists the customer with determining requirements solution pathways and leading the development of requirements products for the S5R Force Application area
• Expands contacts at Aerospace and organizations SF/S5R requires to interface with to include SWAC, SSDP, CFC, SSC, STARCOM, and USSPACECOM.
• Develop technical briefings, decision support materials, white papers, and executive-level recommendations for the Dept of the Air Force
• Support cross-organizational coordination and collaboration among government agencies, laboratories, operational commands, intelligence organizations, FFRDC, SETA and industry partners
• Provide insight into emerging threats, operational needs, and technology trends relevant to space superiority and space mission integration.
• Deliver results on time-sensitive staff inquiries and provide technical support in the development of position papers and official responses to Congress, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and the Intelligence Community (IC)
• The selected candidate must work effectively in an onsite environment with the customer and work with senior Government leaders, contractors, other government agencies, the various Aerospace program offices, and the Aerospace Engineering and Technical Group (ETG) to address issues and provide the customer with the best available technical analyses and recommendations to ensure coherent, end-to-end technical insight

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements Sr. Project Engineer – Systems Engineering – Acquisition and Systems Engineering:

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field such as aerospace engineering, physics, systems engineering or related technical discipline
• 12 or more years of demonstrated technical, acquisition, engineering, and/or operational depth in one or more of the following space mission areas:
  • Offensive and/or Defensive Space Control
  • Space-related Command and Control
  • Space Domain Awareness
• Proven ability to work effectively with senior government, military personnel, co-located FFRDC, and SETA contractors
• Understanding of DoW requirements and acquisitions processes and space capability development
• Strong technical writing and strategic communication skills
• This position requires an active Top Secret clearance with eligibility to obtain SCI and Special Access Program (SAP) accesses.
• Ability to occasionally travel domestically

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced STEM degree
• Possess an understanding of the roles played by the Office of the Secretary of War; the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force; the United States Space Force, U.S. Space Command; the space system program offices; the defense agencies; the Joint Staff; and other government organizations in the acquisition, management, and operation of the national security space enterprise
• Experience supporting SAF/SQ, Space Systems Command (SSC), Air Force or Space Rapid Capabilities Office, USSF headquarters, Dept of War, or other national security space organization
• Familiarity with Aerospace Corporation engineering practices, including mission assurance, architecture evaluation, and technical risk assessment.
• Understanding of space threat systems, orbital warfare concepts, and contested space operations.
• Experience working in an FFRDC or trusted advisory environment.
• Experience briefing senior Government leaders (General Officer and/or SES)

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.