Senior Research & Engineering Space Technology 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.

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.

The Pentagon and Multi-Domain Division provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders at the highest levels of government on space architectures, polity 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 Research & Engineering Space Technology Advisor to OUSW(R&E)’s Principal Director for Space, you will be part of a small streamlined OSW team that addresses timely, critical analysis required by all elements under the Secretary or War – the analysis and the resulting decisions will inform funding and provide advocacy for capabilities, policies and issues across various mission areas. 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 that they are directly contributing to the National Security Space effort and having a positive impact at the very highest levels of the Department of War.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Crystal City VA. Potential opportunity exists to work at a different Aerospace location if the candidate has regular, predictable access to SIPR, JWICs, SIC, classified meeting capabilities and TSVOIP

What You’ll Be Doing

• Project Engineer for Commercial Space Engagements: Serves as the primary DoD interface for commercial space partnerships, technology assessments, and strategic integration initiatives. Develops frameworks for evaluating and integrating commercial space capabilities into national security architectures.
• Leads technical analysis for official correspondence between military services, combat support agencies, the intelligence community, Congress, and the White House on space technology matters, including technology maturation assessments, transition strategies, and capability gap analysis.
• Coordinates congressional response actions regarding space technology maturation, transfer, and transition, including preparation of technical briefings, position papers, and testimony support materials.
• Develops technical strategies and roadmaps for priority space technology areas including Multi-Orbit Constellations, Beyond GPS/Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) systems, AI/ML for space systems, and emerging commercial space partnerships.
• Coordinates with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review processes and supports technology security assessments for space-related transactions and partnerships.
• Conducts comprehensive technical assessments of space systems, architectures, and technology maturation efforts across the DoD space portfolio.
• Performs >

  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)

  $155,900.00 - $233,900.00Pay 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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.