Sr. Project Leader, Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office

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.

Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, development planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape the future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including US Space Force, U.S Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers but also horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. DSG also assists the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

This position will fall within our Agile Acquisition Division and will provide support the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (AF/RCO). The Senior Project Leader – Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering will support the Air Provide technical expertise and engineering support to the Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, supporting the development and fielding of critical capabilities.

Work Model

This position is 100% onsite and based in the National Capital Region at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading Aerospace teams in the execution of the systems engineering, integration, and test responsibilities, to include the coordination of subject matter experts and the integration of inputs to provide corporate and customer leadership with technical advice
• Responsible for engaging and working closely with customers and other Aerospace Offices to identify and apply resources to ensure successful program execution
• Provides oversight and management of staffing and financial resources required to support system acquisition actions and technical analysis efforts
• Supporting systems architecting, requirements & CONOPS development, and enterprise focused systems engineering (with an emphasis on system integration)
• Advising the Government on the trades associated with up-front alternative analyses and recommend capability and risk-based courses of action considering operational, technical, and acquisition factors
• Developing functional and performance requirements for selected system
• Performing planning, development, acquisition, program management and systems engineering tasks in support of Government goals and milestones
• Applying technological, acquisition and mission expertise to address issues as they arise to maintain schedule and system performance
• Providing developmental and operational test expertise to assure mission success and timely fielding of system capabilities

What You Need to be Successful – Sr. Project Leader, Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science or other applicable degree
• 12+ years of relevant engineering/technical/operational/system fielding experience
• Experience with development and integration of DoD and/or IC space capabilities, missions, and/or programs in standard and rapid acquisition environments.
• Experience with program planning and execution
• Experience with development and integration of complex space systems
• Experience with developmental/operational test of DoD and/or IC space capabilities
• Proving experience applying systems engineering and MBSE in addressing complex problems
• Familiarity working with integrated Government, FFRDC, and SETA teams
• Ability to work and thrive in a fast-paced & dynamic environment and to work complex problems without clear point solutions
• Demonstrated strong technical leadership, interpersonal, and team building skills
• Stellar verbal and written communication skills including the ability to engage and effectively communicate with senior leaders
• Willingness to travel domestically up to 20-30% of the ti