Program Finance Partner

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.

Job Summary

This position supports multiple teams within the Federal and Commercial (FCP) division that provide direct technical support to NASA, NOAA, and USGS customers.  The chosen individual will perform project cost and schedule analysis for work performed by Aerospace, provide results of that analysis to Aerospace and customer task leaders, and identify and resolve issues. 

As the Program Finance Partner, you will play a critical role in driving financial strategy and operational excellence across the division. Your responsibilities will include direct delivery analysis, government customer engagement, funding oversight, annual and multi-year budgeting, financial forecasting, and capital expenditure planning. You'll develop and implement financial and operational metrics and dashboards that provide actionable insights to leadership.

In this high-impact role, you will serve as a trusted financial advisor to all levels of the organization—from program managers to senior executives—delivering data-driven analysis, trend identification, and predictive analytics that enable informed decision-making and support the corporation's value proposition to customers.

You will collaborate closely with the Group CFO and the Program Planning & Control (PP&C) organization to ensure alignment on financial policies, practices, and processes across the enterprise. This position offers the opportunity to influence strategic direction, shape financial operations, and make a measurable impact on mission success.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Chantilly, VA.

What You’ll be Doing

• Implements corporate standard PP&C processes, tools, and cadence within cognizant organization, optimizing compliance and efficiency. Develops and maintains cost and schedule baselines and forecasts that meet program and company requirements and are integrated with the program Statement of Work (SOW) as included in the Aerospace Requirements Tool (ART), and other program planning documents
• Matrixed member of the PP&C organization; responsible for establishing standard corporate PP&C processes to facilitate organizational and corporate level management; provides leadership in the development of policies and procedures; develops Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) tied to Enterprise STE and financial goals
• Develops and manages delivery (STE) and financial plans and forecasts for direct and indirect funded activities at the organizational level; tracks and performs analyses for various budgets; maintain organizational statistics
• Compares and analyzes STE and financial results with plans and forecasts, identifies trends; assess and communicates reliable metrics that management can use to make informed business decisions; uses data driven insights to recommend corrective actions to achieve STE and financial plans
• Informs Group CFO and Program Finance Manager on financial trends, reporting unit performance and recommends corrective actions to achieve financial plans

What You Need to be Successful  

Minimum Requirements for Program Finance Partner include:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Accounting, Economics, or related field is required
• 6+ years of progressive experience in program control, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis is required
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously while adapting to shifting priorities and stakeholder needs
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to identifying data trends, variances, and opportunities to improve project performance
• Exceptional attention to detail with a commitment to producing accurate, high-quality financial reports and deliverables
• Demonstrated track record as a resourceful and creative solution finder who develops strategic options with consideration for broader organizational impact
• Ability to quickly establish credibility, build rapport, and cultivate trust across all levels of the organization—from program teams to senior leadership
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build strong, collaborative relationships with stakeholders and geographically dispersed teams
• Strategic thinker who applies critical judgment to evaluate ideas, anticipate customer needs, and effectively influence stakeholders to pursue optimal solutions

How You Can Stand Out

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

• A minimum of (2) or more years of experience in a U.S. government (Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) contracting environment is preferred
• Proficiency with data analytics and visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, and Alteryx
• In-depth knowledge of federal government and government contractor budgeting systems, practices, and compliance requirements
• Strong understanding of Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) and their application in government contracting
• Prior experience as a Financial Analyst, Program Control Analyst, or equivalent role supporting complex programs
• Prior experience working within a research and development or Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) environment
• The ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government, is strongly preferred . U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.