Human Exploration & Spaceflight Strategy Policy Advisor

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 the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), United States Geological Survey (USGS), and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors. 

Within CSG, the Human Exploration and Spaceflight (HESF) Division supports our NASA customer in all aspects of human space flight and program office activities. We are looking for a Human Exploration & Spaceflight Strategy Policy Advisor (Senior Project Engineer – Space Policy & Strategy). This position will support NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD) Standing Review Board. This person will work as a subject matter expert, providing program office advisory skills on an as needed basis. 

Work Model

This is a part-time position that has the option to be fully remote anywhere within the United States as the business needs allow.

What You’ll Be Doing  

• Develop and deliver strategy and plans for resolving barriers for successfully enabling commercial LEO capabilities
• Develop and draft options for any proposed legislative changes to successfully enable commercial LEO capabilities and ISS transition
• Develop and deliver strategy and plans to address funding and top gap risks for ISS to CLD transition including transportation and research, including a transition and communications strategy for stakeholder engagement
• Integrate plans with organizations external to ISS/CLD to address items above

What You Need to be Successful 

Minimum Requirements: 

• Bachelor of Science degree or advanced degree in engineering, science, or another related STEM discipline  
• 12 or more years of increasingly responsible professional experience, including experience in a system engineering and/or program management environment 
• Ability to effectively utilize oral and written communication to express technical concepts and recommendations to personnel at all technical and managerial levels 
• Ability to work in a quick-paced, small core team that leads technical discussions across a large technical community and influences teams across the NASA enterprise 
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers 
• Excellent teaming and leadership skills with an ability to multi-task across various issues/disciplines simultaneously 
• Excellent presentation and communications skills, including development and briefing of decision packages and complex information in a succinct and polished manner 
• This position may require the ability to obtain and maintain a security 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 or advanced degree in engineering, science, or another related STEM discipline  
• 20 or more years of experience within NASA programs  
• Experience in human spaceflight  
• Experience working with Standing Review Board’s 
• Knowledge of NASA Program issues and concerns

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)

$170,000 - $208,000

Pay Basis: Annual