Human Exploration and Spaceflight Strategy and Policy Advisor

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.

Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), United States Geological Survey (USGS), and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors. 

Within CSG, the Human Exploration and Spaceflight (HESF) Division supports our NASA customer in all aspects of human space flight and program office activities. We are looking for a Human Exploration and Spaceflight Strategy and Policy Advisor (MTS Level 3 – Casual). This position will support NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD) Standing Review Board. This person will work as a subject matter expert, providing program office advisory skills on an as needed basis. 

This is a Casual position with customers at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and NASA Headquarters, some in person engagement may be required. 

Work Model

This is a Casual position that has the option to be fully remote anywhere within the United States as the business needs allow.

What You’ll Be Doing  

• Develop and deliver strategy and plans for successfully enabling commercial, academic and international partnerships for NASA programs
• Develop and draft concepts for proposed international partnerships to successfully enable NASA missions
• Develop and deliver strategy and plans to address program risks related to partner development timelines and efforts
• Evaluate scientific and research activities proposed for missions and develop recommendations to support activities
• Support development of communications strategy for stakeholder engagement
• Integrate plans with organizations external to SOMD, ESDMD NASA to address items above
• Lead strategic planning and establishing external strategic relationships with potential partners, customers, and collaborators associated with a defined NASA programmatic theme or area of emphasis across the various NASA centers.
• Lead and evaluate processes, techniques, and performance; design and implement more effective and efficient processes.

What You Need to be Successful 

Minimum Requirements: 

• Bachelor of Science degree or advanced degree in engineering, science, or another related STEM discipline  
• 12 or more years of increasingly responsible professional experience, including experience in a system engineering and/or program management environment 
• Ability to effectively utilize oral and written communication to express technical concepts and recommendations to personnel at all technical and managerial levels 
• Ability to work in a quick-paced, small core team that leads technical discussions across a large technical community and influences teams across the NASA enterprise 
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers 
• Excellent teaming and leadership skills with an ability to multi-task across various issues/disciplines simultaneously 
• Excellent presentation and communications skills, including development and briefing of decision packages and complex information in a succinct and polished manner 
• This position may require the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. 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: 

• Advanced degree or advanced degree in engineering, science, or another related STEM discipline  
• 20 or more years of experience within NASA programs  
• Experience in human spaceflight  
• Knowledge of NASA Program issues and concerns

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 - $226,000.00Pay Basis: Hourly

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.