SWAC/Joint DoD-IC Activity Lead

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, developmental planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape future space missions across the national security space enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including United States Space Force, United States Space Command, Air Force Material Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers but also horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation.

The Space Enterprise and Warfighting Division, Space Security Technologies Department provides high-quality analytical support to the USSF’s Space Warfighting Analysis Center (SWAC) and the Space Security and Defense Program (SSDP), advising the Government on the design of future space forces to win the next war.  We also serve as critical links to mission partners in the national security space arena. This position will provide technical leadership and analytic support to a pivotal joint DoD-IC activity.

Work Model

This position requires 100% onsite work in classified facilities in a customer facility in Chantilly, VA and is not eligible for telework.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide leadership and support to SWAC’s Joint Activities Group, which is responsible for establishing policy for and supporting the use of unique capabilities and technologies to advance national security space for the DoD and the Intelligence Community.  This dynamic organization is at the forefront of providing decisionmakers with recommendations, based in technical rigor, to apply to questions of national security space.
• The successful candidate will be integrated into a Joint DoD-IC activity, providing subject matter expertise in the application of new and novel technologies.
• In addition to providing direct customer support, you will coordinate Aerospace's Engineering & Technology Group resources to perform studies and solve hard problems for the customer.
• You will coordinate across Aerospace with other groups looking at novel technologies.
• You will work directly with government customers and SETA personnel across a range of mission partners.
• This position requires occasional (<15%) travel within CONUS.

What You Need to Be Successful: Senior Project Engineer – Enterprise Systems Engineering

Minimum Requirements:

• A demonstrated record of increasingly responsible experience
• Bachelor's degree in an appropriate discipline from an accredited institution
• A minimum of 12 years of experience, including in a program office environment or other customer-facing environment
• Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary teams to use “out-of-the-box” or unconventional thinking to solve hard problems
• Experience working with and briefing senior Government officials
• Experience with DoD or IC organizations
• Clear written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated effectiveness in working with customer and contractor personnel
• Candidate must be a self-starter and have a proven ability to work with minimum supervision and to interact effectively with other subject matter experts, Space Force and Intelligence Community personnel, SETAs, other FFRDCs, and contractor personnel
• A current Top Secret/SCI clearance with a CI polygraph.  This is issued by the U.S. Government, U.S. citizenship is required
• Eligibility for SAP/SAR clearances

How You Can Stand Out

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

• An advanced degree in an appropriate discipline from an accredited institution
• Experience with both DoD and IC organizations
• Experience working as part of a geographically distributed team
• Current SAP/SAR clearances

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, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.