Space Policy Analyst

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 Center for Space Policy and Strategy (CSPS) dedicated to shaping the future of space by providing nonpartisan research and strategic analysis to decision makers and to informing broader public discussions of space policy. CSPS is part of The Aerospace Corporation, a nonprofit organization that advises the government on complex space enterprise and systems engineering problems.

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Space Policy Analyst with expertise in licensing and regulation of space activities to join our team. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in analyzing, developing, and implementing space policy initiatives and strategies. The position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the expanding future of the space enterprise including space exploration, commercial ventures, and national security, and shape the policies and strategies that govern it.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Crystal City, Virginia.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Collaborate with a team to research space policy and regulatory issues, develop solutions, and communicate your findings on pressing topics related to the commercial and civil space sectors, national regulations and international obligations, space technology innovation, and environmental, safety, and sustainability issues facing the space industry.
• Conduct in-depth research and analysis on a variety of space policy topics, including interagency policy and regulatory decisions, international cooperation, and legislative developments.
• Monitor and track space policy and regulatory trends, both nationally and internationally, to provide timely insights to the organization and develop frameworks to address future issues.
• Communicate space policy and regulatory issues, findings, and potential solutions through research papers, conference presentations, panel discussions, social media, and video recordings.
• Support the organization of public events, lead panel discussions, and invite speakers to build an awareness and understanding of pressing space sector issues and challenges.
• Present to a variety of audiences, including briefings to senior leaders and presentations at public conferences.
• Develop time-sensitive strategic analysis at the intersection of technology, policy, and law for senior government leaders.
• Collaborate with internal teams and experts at the Aerospace Corporation to shape strategic approaches to technical issues.
• Engage with government agencies, industry partners, and other stakeholders in the space enterprise.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Project Engineer – Space Policy & Strategy:

• Bachelors of Science degree in a technical, STEM or policy-related field.
• 8 or more years of space policy-relevant work experience in the government or private sector
• Demonstrated ability to write clear and compelling prose, especially for communicating complex and interdisciplinary issues to a wide audience.
• The ability to develop, design, and deliver self-initiated and customer-funded work based on quantitative and/or qualitative research methods.
• Strong skills researching, writing, and publicizing policy and strategy.
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain such a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced degree in public policy or law
• Expertise in space regulatory matters, including national and international licensing of satellite systems and export controls
• A strong record of publication and research leadership that distinguishes you as a public intellectual contributor in space policy.
• Meaningful experience working at or with senior levels in government related to regulation and licensing.

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)

$117,300.00 - $175,900.00Pay 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.