Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Capabilities Advisor - Department of the Air Force (DAF)

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.

We are seeking a Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Capabilities Advisor to provide technical support and thought leadership to various DAF Data and AI strategy and implementation initiatives.  The selected candidate will lead high-impact studies and sponsor engagements that inform strategic investment, acquisition planning, policy and program decisions.

This role will provide objective expertise, independent analysis, and strategic guidance to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration (SAF/SQ) and independent technical analysis and systems engineering insight to inform space acquisition, integration, and enterprise decision-making involving data-driven and AI-enabled solutions.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, onsite in Arlington, VA to include the Aerospace facility in Crystal City, the Pentagon and associated facilities.   

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide objective, non-advocacy technical advice to the DAF on the application of AI and solutions across space systems, architectures, and acquisition portfolios.
• Assess technology readiness, implementation risk, and integration challenges for AI, machine learning, autonomy, and cyber technologies in space acquisition programs
• Support enterprise capability development and integration, including mission thread analysis and cross-program integration studies and activities
• Advise on acquisition and integration strategies
• Develop technical roadmaps, trade studies, and decision-quality products to support senior SAF/SQ, Space Force, and OSW stakeholders
• Coordinate with Aerospace technical experts, SSC, AFRL, USSF, and other FFRDC partners to ensure coherent, end-to-end technical insight
• Prepare and deliver clear, concise briefings and written assessments translating complex technical analysis into actionable recommendations
• Deliver results on time-sensitive staff inquiries and provide technical support in the development of position papers and official responses to Congress, the Office of the Secretary of War, and the Intelligence Community (IC)
• The selected candidate must work effectively in an onsite environment with the customer and work with senior Government leaders, contractors, other government agencies, the various Aerospace program offices, and the Aerospace Engineering and Technical Group (ETG) to address issues and provide the customer with the best available technical analyses and recommendations to ensure coherent, end-to-end technical insight

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements Senior Project Engineer – Artificial Intelligence and Data Science/Big Data Mining:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related technical field
• 12 or more years of demonstrated technical depth in one or more of the following areas:
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Space systems engineering and architectures
  • Digital engineering and model-based systems engineering (MBSE)
• Proven ability to work effectively with high-functioning teams composed of, for example, government, civilians, military personnel, co-located FFRDC, and SETA contractors
• Understanding of space acquisition, integration, and lifecycle processes within the Department of the Air Force or U.S. Space Force.
• Strong technical writing and executive briefing abilities
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance, 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 degree in engineering, mathematics, science, computer science, or other technical discipline
• Prior experience supporting SAF/SQ, Space Systems Command (SSC), SAF/AQ, USSF headquarters, or DoW space organizations.
• Familiarity with Aerospace Corporation engineering practices, including mission assurance, architecture evaluation, and technical risk assessment.
• Experience with system security engineering for space system threats, including contested and degraded space environments.
• Experience with systems engineering for space system use of autonomy and AI with DoW Responsible AI
• Background in mission-level modeling, architecture trades, or enterprise integration.
• Experience working in an FFRDC or trusted advisory environment.
• Experience in briefing senior Government leaders (General Officer and/or SES)
• Possess a current TS/SCI clearance
• A thorough understanding of the roles played by the Office of the Secretary of War; the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force; the United States Space Force, U.S. Space Command; the space system program offices; the defense agencies; the Joint Staff; and other government organizations in the acquisition, management, and operation of the national security space enterprise

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.