Project Engineer- Direct Commercial Programs Directorate

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.

At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.

Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within NASA, NOAA, and the NNSA, while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors.

We are seeking a Senior Project Engineer to manage projects and programs within the Direct Commercial Programs (DCP) Line of Business (LOB). This position will report to the Director of DCP in our Civil Systems Group (CSG). CSG’s DCP LOB offers deep technical expertise, testbeds and proving grounds, and cutting-edge innovation to established and emerging commercial customers advancing U.S. space capabilities in the national interest. The Aerospace mission includes support to commercial companies to solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges within high-consequence environments.

Work Model

• This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA, offering a hybrid work model that requires 3-4 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business needs allow. 

What You’ll Be Doing

• Work across the organization to help prioritize opportunities, optimize investments, assist with direct commercial business strategy development and deployment, and continuously assess and update new business pipeline opportunities against the long-range strategic and annual operating plans.
• In conjunction with the DCP Director, develop commercial business alignment and capture strategies, customer value propositions, master service agreements, and discriminating technical, management, and business offerings to maximize portfolio opportunities.
• Act as a key integrator for the Aerospace commercial team across functional boundaries serving as a facilitator, coach, and trainer to critically assess products, capabilities, technology, and business models for current and future growth utilizing the Aerospace engineering backplane.
• Identify potential customers, synthesize competitive assessments, support make/buy and price-to-win decision cycles; participate in bid and proposal activities as well as identification, creation, and validation of program opportunities for the engineering backplane.
• Lead collaboration between the Engineering Technical Group (ETG) and CSG leadership teams and divisions, acting as a liaison across the various engineering divisions.
• Coordinate messaging to ETG staff and divisions for scope and effort.
• As required, take on principal investigator duties for various projects and programs.
• Provide observations, insights, and analysis of trends and opportunities in the assigned market in the form of written reports and presentations.
• Establish, monitor, and report metrics for performance across project portfolios.
• Lead and coordination program/project management of tasks on direct commercial contracts in conjunction with technical staff and other partners at Aerospace – including Commercial Space Futures – to identify, implement, and deliver products and services to meet customer expectations on schedule and within budget.
• Seek opportunities to contribute technically and programmatically to enhance the DCP LOB and other strategic interests, to include transition of bespoke, national assets for unclassified, commercial use in the national interest.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Project Engineer  

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or closely related technical field
• At least 6 years of experience in program/project management, engineering, and business development
• Demonstrated knowledge of commercial business models, structure, and programs
• Dem