Senior Project Lead - Space Vehicle Acquisition and Design

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.

Directorate E provides on-site support within a government program office in oversight and management of a complex new national security satellite system. Within Directorate E, Aerospace provides acquisition, mission assurance, analytic, and systems engineering support.

The Future Capabilities team supports the Chief Architect and Chief Engineer of a Directorate of a major customer in the National Security Space portfolio. This requisition is seeking a Senior Project Leader that will support the Chief Architect customer, providing technical guidance on the development of new prototype and operational spacecraft concepts, system modeling, cost estimation, acquisition planning, and Phase A execution of satellite design activities.

Involvement in other activities, such as payload studies and enhancements, is also possible. In this role, you will have the opportunity to impact the direction of this National Security Space portfolio by advising the customer on the advancement of critical technologies, the ground and communications enterprise, and the effective use of autonomy and machine learning.

This is a full-time position based in Chantilly, VA, which requires 100% onsite work.

• Independently perform and lead Aerospace teams assessing satellite system acquisition planning activities, including budgets, schedules, concept-of-operations, requirements development, and milestone entry/exit criteria.
• Lead and advise matrixed cross-functional teams on spacecraft design trades across multiple satellite concepts.
• Perform and lead technical evaluation of contractor proposals, program plans, and contract deliverables in collaboration with acquisition teams.
• Identify and execute studies on behalf of the customer on the development and execution of spacecraft acquisition plans to include BAAs, study efforts, and development contracts.
• Assess program office acquisition and systems engineering processes, identify gaps, and lead teams to optimize these activities.
• Represent and advise the program office as senior technical authority in systems engineering and acquisition forums.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to program office acquisition planning teams.
• Identify, task, and manage appropriate ETG subject matter experts.
• Lead assessment of performance, cost, and schedule constraints; collaborate with program teams to develop risk mitigation strategies.
• Senior mentor to other team members in areas of spacecraft design, government acquisitions, and systems engineering.
• Collaborate daily with mid- and senior-level government officials, SETA, and contractor personnel to drive program success as part of a small team in a fast-paced environment.
• Occasional travel, up to 10% of the time.

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in science, engineering, mathematics, or a related…