2027 Commercial Space Account Associate

The Aerospace Corporation • Crystal City, VA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation’s Civil Systems Group (CSG) is seeking a Commercial Space Account Associate (Business Development Staff II) to serve as a Customer Support Account Lead for its Direct Commercial Programs Directorate. The Directorate provides lifecycle independent assessments, systems engineering and integration support, and mission assurance to companies across the commercial space enterprise.

Working with the Federal & Commercial Programs Systems Director, CSG account managers, and other Aerospace line-of-business leaders, the associate will help shape and carry out business development strategies and customer relationships in federal and commercial markets. The role supports growth planning aligned to customer needs, value propositions, long-term opportunities, and capture execution. The position is full-time and onsite at the company’s Crystal City, Virginia facility. Domestic travel of approximately 25% is expected. Training and mentorship will be provided.

Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, space studies, or a related discipline; the degree may be in progress or have been conferred within the last 12 months.
• 0–1 year of industry experience.
• Experience developing and capturing space-industry products or services, with demonstrated ability to close new-business opportunities with commercial companies.
• Ability to work both as part of a geographically distributed team and autonomously.
• Knowledge of and experience with federal and commercial programs, budgets, and market drivers.
• Experience using enterprise-class customer relationship management (CRM) software, with accountability for qualified pipeline and other performance metrics.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers and corporate staff at all levels.
• Competency in Microsoft 365 and collaboration technologies.
• Willingness to travel domestically approximately 25%.
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance; the position may require the ability to obtain and maintain one.
• Strong written and oral communication, teamwork, organizational, time-management, project-management, adaptability, and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

• An advanced degree in an engineering discipline and/or business administration.
• Progressively responsible technical experience, including hands-on business development, account management, and program management with a variety of federal government and/or commercial customers.
• An established network of federal civil government and commercial space customers.
• Experience in a variety of program-office and/or technical engineering roles.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Direct Commercial Line of Business leadership to define future value-growth strategies and plans across the U.S. and allied space industrial base.
• Lead strategy, planning, development, pursuit, and capture of opportunities in accordance with corporate policies, goals, and business-development objectives.
• Identify opportunities for additional, expanded, and new business.
• Assist management in evaluating, pursuing, and capturing near- and long-term opportunities.
• Maintain and expand relationships across federal civil space and other federal and commercial entities, partnering with program and project management personnel to meet customer needs.
• Engage regularly with targeted accounts and maintain effective relationships with customer decision-makers.
• Build a reputation with customers as a problem solver and thought leader.
• Work with an integrated team of account representatives and specialists in capture, proposal management, program management, program execution, administration, and technical applications.
• Support interfaces with Aerospace contracts, legal, and pricing teams for management of contract vehicles.
• Lead multiple concurrent opportunities through a structured capture process.
• Regularly review, update, and maintain customer information and business-development pipeline databases.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options.
• 401(k) plan with company-paid benefits of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service, plus matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested upon hire.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions.
• Relocation assistance.
• Professional growth and development programs.
• Education assistance programs.
• Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level