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 Materiel 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 National Space Systems Engineering Division provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders at the highest levels of government on space architectures, policy and strategy, developmental planning, system of system engineering, and threat reduction to help shape the future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. As a Senior Space Science & Technology Advisor to OSD's Principal Director for Space Technology, you will be counted on to provide independent, deeply technical advisory services that includes evaluation of ongoing government resourcing, acquisitions, and assistance with long-term strategy development. This is a significant opportunity, and one in which the successful candidate will know without any doubt, that they are directly contributing to National Defense, and having a positive impact at the very highest levels of the DoD.

Work Model

This position is hybrid, with an average of 3 days/week at the Pentagon, or Pentagon reservation.

What You ll Be Doing

• The successful candidate will provide technical and analytical support directly in support of OUSD(R&E)'s Principal Director for Space Technology
• Part of a small, streamlined OSD team that addresses timely, critical analysis required by all elements under the Secretary of Defense -- the analysis and the resulting decisions will inform funding and provide advocacy for capabilities, policies and issues across various mission areas
• The candidate will be part of a highly empowered team where every team member is directly responsible for the success of assigned studies
• The opportunity to interface with the highest levels of OSD and DoD leadership
• Serve as program advisory lead for time critical technical studies and tasks requiring appropriate level technical expertise
• Coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to complete the studies, as well as to communicate results
• Confers with engineers and analysts to provide technical advice and to assist with problem resolution as needed as part of the study research reach-back
• Providing SME analysis of Multi-Orbit Constellations, Beyond GPS, novel PNT, commercial augmentation, Autonomy, and how novel technology injects would impact these architectures
• Apply appropriate levels of critical assessment, strategic advice, technical guidance, and expertise to studies based on previous/adjacent studies
• Provide assessments on a variety of interests from policy to capability, operational considerations to "POM after next" examinations of technology
• Deliver superb decision support capabilities and products to OSD senior leadership
• Provide leadership and support for planning and implementation of policy, acquisition, and requirements initiatives, developing architectural alternatives, assessing system budgets and schedules and rationalizing investment portfolio
• Interface between customer and Aerospace technical and management staffs, as needed

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in science or engineering or equivalent is required
• 10 or more years of progressively demonstrated engineering and policy experience, including multi-disciplinary system engineering in a program oversight environment
• Analytic skills to support quantified study assessments
• Strong technical background knowledge of space systems portfolios, engineering, development, and manufacturing
• Broad understanding of space technologies, with at least one area of technology specialization
• Experience with creating, supporting and/or leading technical study teams examining topics of national significance
• Proven and continued ability to work effectively and professionally with senior government customers (GO/FO or SES) from organizations across the federal government
• Proven ability to network with contractors, other government agencies, the various Aerospace program offices, and ETG to address issues and to provide the customers with the best available technical and programmatic analyses
• Excellent written communication skills ability to organize complex materials and concepts in clear logical manner at the executive leadership level
• Excellent verbal communication skills clear, concise, persuasive; build consensus through speaking and actions; polished, professional style
• Exhibit high level of innovation, creativeness, and initiative
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers
• This position requires an active Top Secret/SSBI security clearance, which is issued by the US government. US 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 technical and/or engineering degree
• 15 or more years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience
• In depth knowledge of roles played by the Office of the Secretary of Defense; the Office of the Director of National Intelligence; the National Reconnaissance Office; the Services, especially the Department of the Air Force and U.S. Space Force) and other government organizations in development and operations of the national security space enterprise
• Previous work in a Pentagon office, or previous experience supporting the above organizations
• Previous experience with the Space Security and Defense Program, Space Warfighting Analysis Center, or similar organizations
• Experience in space system acquisition
• Experience in the operational use of space systems for DoD missions
• Familiarity or first-hand experience with national security system procurement processes, including the Defense Acquisition System; Programming, Planning, Budgeting and Execution and the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System
• SAP/SAR access, or previous experience working with these classifications
• Understanding of how The Aerospace Corporation is organized, and how to use that understanding to find and build support teams from Program Offices, ETG etc

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 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.###.#### or by email at ...@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.