NNSA DNN Independent Assessments Chair

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.

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.

As a member of CSG, you will be part of an experienced team of scientists and engineers working together to advance the mission of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN). In addition to supporting our team performing Independent Assessments and Reviews of federally funded research activities, you will also contribute to our core competencies: architecting, integrating, assessing, and analyzing technical activities across nuclear nonproliferation enterprise. For the NNSA DNN Independent Assessments Chair (Project Engineer/Senior Project Engineer - Technical Project Management) role, we are seeking a dedicated technical specialist with an interest and passion in nonproliferation research, development, and analysis. 

Work Model

This is a full-time position based in Crystal City, VA, Chantilly, VA, or Albuquerque, NM, offering a hybrid work model that combines 3 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business needs allow.  

What You’ll Be Doing

• Support or lead cross-organizational team of experts to perform Independent Assessments of DNN R&D’s research portfolio.
• Analyze and document customer research and development plans and projects through peer reviews and technical analyses on current and future nuclear nonproliferation research as directed by DNN R&D
• Perform project management activities while leveraging technical capabilities from across Aerospace to address DNN R&D programmatic challenges
• Plan, organize and control resources to meet customer expectations of number and types of project assessments
• Deliver high quality project assessments and communications for senior NNSA officials, including Secretary-level, that document findings and provide actionable recommendations
• Perform other duties as required

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Project Engineer - Technical Project Management:

• BS degree from an accredited program in physics, engineering, chemistry, or a related STEM field
• 6 or more years of progressively responsible and related experience in R&D, physics, radiochemistry, nuclear chemistry/engineering, or a closely related field
• Experience working with U.S. government agencies such as DOE, NNSA, DHS, or DoD
• Strong knowledge of nuclear nonproliferation technology development
• Demonstrated ability to understand scientific work across a broad and varied technical spectrum
• Availability to travel domestically, at times on short notice, approximately one or two weeks per month (on average) or 20-50% of the time
• Superior interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, 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 Senior Project Engineer - Technical Project Management include:

• 10 or more years of progressively responsible and related experience in R&D, physics, radiochemistry, nuclear chemistry/engineering, or a closely related field
• 3-5 years in project and/or program management
• Ability to effectively utilize oral and written communication to express technical concepts and recommendations to personnel at all technical and managerial levels.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with NNSA customers