Direct Commercial Programs- Project Leader/ Sr. Project Leader

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.

Is there anything more exciting than surrounding yourself with the smartest people on the planet who are shaping the future of space? We don’t think so. The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems, and providing unmatched technical expertise. As a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are engaged across the space enterprise — delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground and cyber systems for defense, intelligence, civil, and commercial customers. With over 3,000 scientists and engineers, Aerospace addresses complex problems across the enterprise through agility, innovation, and objective technical leadership.

To enable this, The Aerospace Corporation is focusing on critical technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, photonics, optical communications, additive manufacturing, electric propulsion, as well as new tools in modeling, simulation, cloud computing, and digital engineering. We even design and test these technologies in our advanced labs. Indeed, did you know that Aerospace builds and operates the world’s largest constellation of experimental cubesats? These capabilities are opening a new generation of resilient, affordable constellation of satellites and advanced ground systems that meet the needs of warfighters, explorers, and key decision makers. For more information, visit www.aerospace.org and be sure to follow us on Twitter @AerospaceCorp.

We are seeking a Project Leader (Junior or Senior) 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 Location

This position can be based at our Crystal City, VA, El Segundo, CA, Colorado Spring, CO, or Chantilly, VA locations. Hybrid and remote work are available.

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
• As an 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
• 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
• Lead the analysis of the competitive landscape, Aerospace commercial capabilities, and business constraints to determine, document, and communicate the best strategy, capture/win themes, and customer call plans
• Collaborate with the Aerospace Commercial Space Futures team, CSG’s business development team, the Engineering and Technology Group (ETG), and capture teams across the off-ceiling portfolio to qualify opportunities, develop solutions, verify business cases, and develop strategies to establish contracts in the national interest
• 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 metri