AFRL Program 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, 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 Advanced Technology and Concepts (ATC) organization within the Space Innovation Directorate (SID) leads the Aerospace team supporting the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) executed with the Air Force and Space Force. AFRL leads research and development for the Air Force and Space Force and develops prototypes and advanced technology demonstrators across the Department of War. The AFRL Program Lead will be the customer interface, providing assistance and oversight for technology development programs and mission development, systems engineering and operations planning for technology demonstrations and space experiments / prototypes both with the Space Force and with the Air Force Research Laboratory. Additionally, this project engineer will source subject matter expertise from within the Engineering and Technology Group to solve the customer’s hardest problems.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Integration of Aerospace expertise and analysis to provide responsive recommendations to Space Force and Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) customer leadership for multiple, diverse on-going programs and new programs added to the portfolio 
• Actively communicate and coordinate across organizations, management, and customers to ensure timely, high-quality development and delivery of strategies, analyses, risk assessments and recommendations  
• Integrate and leverage all aspects/functions/capability of the Aerospace Corporation in executing the mission portfolio through virtual teaming, backplane engagement, ETG matrix, etc. 
• Work closely with members of a diverse team of military, government civilians, prime contractors, SE&I contractors, FFRDCs and National Laboratories. Work closely with Aerospace Labs, communities, and internal development projects to generate collaboration with AFRL projects
• Work with a team of Aerospace employees and government customers in development of AFRL space and ground experiments.
• Actively participate in customer senior decision forums. Elevate Aerospace’s strategic value to the Space Force through the objective evaluation of alternative mission designs, technical advice on Space Vehicle acquisitions, and optimized support to integration and launch. 

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements Project Engineer - Enterprise Systems Engineering: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program
• 8 or more years of progressively responsible experience in systems engineering or program management 
• Demonstrated leadership skills within a program office or matrixed technical organization, leading project teams, formulating task plans, ensuring product quality and effective interactions with customers, FFRDC and SETA personnel
• Ability to work in a self-motivated and directed manner with senior customer personnel on a variety of technical, programmatic, and administrative issues, in a customer field-office environment, is required.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills; experience presenting and writing technical information 
• Occasional travel required 
• This position requires the ability to obtain a TS/SCI with SSBI, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for Sr. Project Engineer – Enterprise Systems Engineering include:

• 12 or more years of progressively responsible experience in systems engineering or program management 
• Leadership experience within a program office or matrixed technical organization, leading project teams, formulating task plans, ensuring product quality and effective interactions with customers, FFRDC and SETA personnel

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Knowledge of Aerospace’s Engineering and Technology Group (ETG) skills and capabilities
• Knowledge of Space Force acquisitions and experience interfacing with USAF/USSF/SAF leadership
• Experience with program execution from initiation of acquisition strategy and proposal development through source selection support; to program design, development, integration and test; to launch and early orbit; continuing through operations. 
• An excellent personal technical reputation and a record of personal technical achievement
• Program office experience 
• Demonstrated ability to form and lead small, high-performance teams 
• Working knowledge of expertise from across the Aerospace corporation, especially subject matter experts and laboratory operations with the ability to support customer needs 

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)

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.