Satellite Performance Analysis & Acquisition Expert

The Aerospace Corporation•Chantilly, VA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation’s National Systems Group serves as a technical advisor to the Intelligence Community and mission partners. Directorate E provides on-site support to government program offices overseeing a complex national security satellite system architecture, including acquisition, mission assurance, analytic, and systems engineering support. The Acquisition Programs team provides acquisition and subject matter expertise to a major customer in the National Security Space portfolio. In this role, you will coordinate Aerospace activities across multiple technical areas to support system design, end-to-end mission performance evaluation, and acquisition execution. You will lead modeling and simulation assessments of spacecraft performance and provide systems engineering and acquisition guidance to the government customer. The position is full-time and requires 100% onsite work in Chantilly, Virginia, with travel to Aerospace and CONUS contractor facilities approximately once per month.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or a related discipline.
10 or more years of progressively more responsible experience.
Experience in a program office role coordinating and leading matrixed technical teams across multiple disciplines.
Proven experience working with multidisciplinary teams comprised of government, SETA, and Aerospace personnel.
Ability to work closely and cooperatively with contractor personnel.
Current and active TS/SCI security clearance and polygraph, issued by the U.S. government.
U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
Willingness to travel to Aerospace and CONUS contractor facilities approximately once per month.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or a related discipline.
Experience with RF systems or other complex system acquisitions.
Experience completing detailed, high-accuracy modeling and simulations of system and payload performance.
Experience supporting source selections and/or acquisition strategy.
Experience providing direct engineering support to the development of space system or similarly complex hardware.
Experience authoring spacecraft performance requirements based on user needs and industry capabilities.
Knowledge of ETG capabilities and demonstrated interaction with ETG personnel.

Responsibilities

Lead modeling and simulation efforts to independently assess spacecraft performance against contractor design proposals.
Develop and validate simulation frameworks to verify compliance with mission requirements, performance thresholds, and operational constraints.
Provide expert systems engineering guidance to the government customer on requirements development, traceability, and maturation throughout the acquisition lifecycle.
Ensure technical rigor and consistency across evolving mission needs and design trade spaces.
Support competitive source selection activities by evaluating and comparing contractor technical approaches, performance data, and design maturity.
Deliver objective, analysis-based recommendations to inform government acquisition down-select decisions.
Coordinate and communicate with government customers, SETA contractors, and development contractors to meet mission needs.
Mentor team members and guide them in technical duties and program office responsibilities.
Coordinate and lead matrixed technical teams across multiple disciplines.
Travel to Aerospace and CONUS contractor facilities approximately once per month.

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 contributions 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.