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.
At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.
Job Summary
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 Infrastructure Services and Operations subdivision (IS&O)) serves as the technical and programmatic advisor to the National Reconnaissance Office’s Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) in operating and protecting missions. We are looking for a Senior Project Leader to deliver advanced solutions and ensure the capture of emerging capabilities and missions across the NRO’s operational community.
This position requires 100% on-site work in Springfield, VA
What You Will Be Doing
- Providing Mission Protection consulting services to the Government across multiple space subject areas including space operations, space defense/protection and space situational/domain awareness across NRO, IC and DoD missions and operations.
- Assessing and evaluating numerous mission-protection architectures, programs strategies, operations, and resource acquisition activities across the NRO enterprise
- Providing extensive technical recommendations regarding protection-related design interfaces, operational models, threat-generated debris analysis, laser assessments and spectrum/RFI mitigation policy and procedures; enabled operational protection of multiple national security programs in compliance with national-policies and cross-agency strategies
- Developing technical sections of Statement of Work for primary mission protection operations resource acquisition; advising proposal evaluation teams to ensure highly proficient technical reviews and selections for evolving operations center and missions
Minimum Requirements
What You Need to be Successful
- Bachelor’s in engineering, computer science, other relevant technical field, or equivalent combination of training and experience
- A minimum of 12 years of relevant experience.
- An understanding of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), its operational interfaces, and lines of demarcation.
- Experience with mission protection and flight safety
- Familiarity with modeling and simulation tools associated with mission protection and flight safety, satellite design, and systems engineering.
- Familiarity with program management, DoD & IC budget programming, requirements, and acquisition processes
- Ability to lead mixed government, SETA, and FFRDC teams
- This position requires local travel in the Washington DC area
- This position requires a current and active TS/SSBI/SCI clearance and polygraph issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
- Experience that spans operational knowledge of multiple National Security Space agencies
- Experience leading complex trade-study formulation and assessments for critical national programs
- Experience working with NRO and USSF, and deep understanding of how their missions relate to one another
- Exceptional interpersonal, collaborative, customer interfacing, written, and oral communication skills
- Experience with Aerospace Modeling and Simulation tools
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 diverse 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/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. 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 ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.