Space Industrial Base and Commercial Capabilities Advisor - Department of the Air Force (DAF)

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.

We are seeking a Space Industrial Base and Commercial Capabilities Advisor to join a multidisciplinary team focused on strengthening the U.S. space industrial base and advancing resilient space acquisition strategies. In this role, you will lead high-impact studies and sponsor engagements that inform strategic investment decisions, acquisition planning, and industrial base policy across the national security space community.

This position will provide objective technical support to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration (SAF/SQ) to address emerging challenges spanning commercial integration, supply chain resilience, technology transition, manufacturing capacity, and the evolving space marketplace. You will lead teams of technical experts and analysts to deliver independent, data-driven recommendations that improve acquisition outcomes and enhance the long-term competitiveness of the U.S. space industrial base.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, onsite in Arlington, VA to include the Aerospace facility in Crystal City, the Pentagon and other associated facilities.     

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead multidisciplinary project teams conducting objective analyses of the national security space industrial base including assessing industrial base capabilities, supplier ecosystems, market dynamics, manufacturing trends, and commercial space developments to identify strategic risks and opportunities.
• Serve as the primary interface with government sponsors, establishing trusted relationships and ensuring delivery of high-quality technical products
• Evaluate acquisition strategies, contracting approaches, and technology transition pathways that accelerate delivery of resilient space capabilities.
• Conduct executive-level studies that support investment planning, industrial base strategy, and acquisition decision-making.
• Prepare and deliver clear, concise briefings and written assessments translating complex technical analysis into actionable recommendations
• Collaborate across Aerospace engineering, economics, policy, acquisition, and systems analysis organizations to address complex customer challenges.
• Contribute to the development of new analytical capabilities and sponsor engagements aligned with emerging national security priorities.
• 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 War, and other Department of the Air Force organizations
• 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 for Senior Project Engineer – Systems Engineering – Acquisition and Systems Engineering:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, operations research, economics, business, public policy, or a related technical field
• 12 or more years of progressively responsible experience supporting defense, intelligence, aerospace, or national security organizations
• Proven ability to work effectively with high-functioning teams composed of, for example, government, civilians, military personnel, co-located FFRDC, and SETA contractors
• Demonstrated success leading complex analytical or technical projects involving multiple stakeholders
• Knowledge of the U.S. national security space enterprise, defense acquisition processes, and the commercial space industry
• Experience developing executive-level briefings and communicating technical findings to senior decision-makers
• Strong project management, analytical, and organizational skills
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance with eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), issued by the US government. US citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced degree in a technical or policy discipline
• Experience in the commercial space private sector
• Experience supporting organizations such as the U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command, Space Development Agency, National Reconnaissance Office, Air Force Research Laboratory, or other Department of War space organizations.
• Experience conducting industrial base assessments, market analyses, supply chain studies, or technology investment evaluations
• Familiarity with defense acquisition pathways, systems engineering, and capability portfolio management.
• Knowledge of commercial launch, satellite manufacturing, space communications, remote sensing, in-space servicing, and/or emerging space technologies.
• Current Top Secret/SCI clearance.
• Familiarity with Aerospace Corporation engineering practices, including mission assurance, architecture evaluation, and technical risk assessment or experience with another Defense-oriented FFRDC or UARC in a trusted advisory environment

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 [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.