Economist - Senior Project Engineer

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

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 Materiel 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 Market and Supply Chain Analysis Directorate provides technical intelligence on worldwide space and missile system threats related to technology development and industrial base capability, and conducts business, market, and supply chain intelligence analysis to support a broad range of U.S. Government customers.

As the Economist (Senior Project Engineer—Economic & Market Analysis), you will conduct research on businesses and economic trends related to the space sector. Key responsibilities include creating econometric models, performing supply chain analysis and providing macro-economic research and forecasts. Additionally, you will offer technical counsel to senior government officials, conduct periodic reviews of contractor business plans and assess business viability. 

The selected candidate will be required to work full time, on-site at one of our facilities, nominally located in Chantilly, VA; with consideration in El Segundo, CA.   

What You'll Be Doing

• Conducting quantitative research on economics and supply chain in the space sector and providing rapid counsel on emerging activity that affect USG customers

• Design and oversee econometric models that assess business viability and the health of space supply chain within various programs 

• Provide technical expertise to ensure successful execution of economic, market, and supply chain analyses

• Establish and maintain Aerospace’s positive reputation with new and existing customers and cultivate new customers and line of research

• Communicate effectively in presentations and written reports. 

• Drive and facilitate cross-customer coordination via proactive engagement with other teams within Aerospace

What You Need to Be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Economist (Senior Project Engineer—Economic & Market Analysis):

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, or closely related field is required

• A minimum of (12) years of progressively demonstrated expertise in quantitative, econometric, statistical, or computational methods is required

• Proficiency in statistical software such as R, Python and MATLAB

• Excellent written communication skills - organize complex materials and concepts in clear and logical manner

• Excellent verbal communication skills - clear, concise, persuasive; builds consensus through speaking; polished, professional style

• Willing to travel to work location and/or customer site for one week on a quarterly basis (as required)   

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/ SCI clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. 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 eco