Acquisition Engineer and Program Advisor

The Aerospace Corporation•Tysons Corner, VA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

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 serves as the technical advisor to the Intelligence Community and its mission partners involved in the collection and distribution of national and tactical intelligence, including electronics programs, advanced technologies, ground and communications, imagery programs, and systems engineering and launch. The National Intelligence Division within NSG supports the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Chief Financial Officer organization. The CFO is the IC component responsible for ensuring effective financial management of National Intelligence Program resources and supporting the Director of National Intelligence in formulating and justifying the NIP budget. The CFO office is also champion of acquisition reform and innovation, advising on some of the most complex systems the IC fields with a focus to make acquisition and IC resources a strategic advantage — not a barrier. The Aerospace team supports CFO leadership decision making by delivering insight on the future intelligence environment with fact-based analysis on acquisition planning, acquisition strategy, cost, schedule and performance management. Aerospace is looking for an Acquisitions Engineer and Program Advisor (Senior Project Engineer - Enterprise Systems Engineering). This position will support Aerospace’s impact on the Intelligence Community’s financial management, planning, programming, and budgeting process. 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.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in applicable STEM areas or other relevant disciplines.
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
Understanding of 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.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree from an accredited program in Engineering or a related STEM field
Experience with non-traditional or innovative acquisition strategies, such as agile, rapid prototyping/fielding, and other transaction authority (OTA)
Experience applying model-based systems engineering, digital engineering, or concurrent engineering methods and tools to a major acquisition
Familiarity with 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)
Recognition as a subject matter expert through teaching, publications, presentations, or contributions to the professional community

Responsibilities

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
Guide the front-end acquisition and systems engineering functions that span a mission enterprise
Provide technical leadership in systems engineering to support requirements gathering, concept development, and analysis of alternatives and acquisition engineering-related technical deep dives, trade studies, and assessments
Perform objective analysis of systems-of-systems, space, ground, launch, or Command and Control (C2) systems
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.

Benefits

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