Commercial Space Futures Office, 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.

The Aerospace Corporation is committed to advancing and accelerating the application of U.S. commercial space capabilities for the benefit of government customers through its Commercial Space Futures Office (CSFO). CSFO is an organization within the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) which supports the U.S. space enterprise to maximize U.S. government access to and incorporation of commercial space capabilities and technologies. 

The Commercial Space Futures Office (CSFO) faces three directions at once: internally, as a change agent influencing the Aerospace Corporation’s enterprise; externally, as direct and supplementary decision support to our National Security and Civil space agencies; and externally, as key influencers to the markets driving innovation in the space economy. CSFO actively engages in each direction simultaneously to help shape the future of our National space enterprise. As part of the CSFO team, the CSF Project Lead, Strategy & Analysis will actively work to bridge the gap between commercial industry and government customers, bringing cutting-edge technologies and services to the forefront of National Security and Civil space agencies. With opportunities to work on high-level national security missions and engage with innovative companies, you'll have the chance to make a significant impact on the direction of US and International Allied space ecosystems. 

Work Model

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA; the Greater Washington, DC Metro Area; or Colorado Springs, CO; offering a hybrid work model that combines a minimum of 3 regular onsite workdays with remote flexibility as the business needs allow. Domestic and International travel will be required up to 30% of the time

What You’ll Be Doing

You will be responsible for executing campaigns focused on producing data-driven analyses to guide US Government efforts to identify, mature, and integrate technologies, products, and services from across commercial and the broader Space Innovation Base with clear utility against government use cases. You’ll develop executable plans to close technical gaps to integrate commercial space capabilities and accelerate delivery of useful technology to meet near-term agency needs. You’ll lead multi-disciplinary teams producing these data-driven analyses in order to vector them across the US Government space ecosystem as appropriate to their level of maturity and value to the enterprise. You will:

• Execute relevant commercial space capability/services screening and due diligence campaigns to support DoD, IC and Civil US Government customers and clients. 

• Interface with and support Government interactions with commercial space providers, space and non-space technology experts and companies (including non-traditional providers) to assess products, services, approaches, and technologies for integration into the space enterprise to outpace threats and meet ever changing customer needs. 

• Support Aerospace CSFO as required for requirements development and validation, source selection and evaluation, capability integration, as well as other relevant policy, strategy, planning, and programming tasks and processes to resource USSF’s and DoD’s commercial space capability/service’s needs. 

• Leverage partner teams across supporting functions within Aerospace to empirically assess commercial technologies that have potential DoD space architecture applications and disseminate well-supported analysis across the Aerospace enterprise at a consistent cadence. 

• Leverage strategic relationships with commercial space providers, venture and equity investors, space and non-space technology experts and companies; to include, but not limited to, other FFRDCs and UARCs, government and other representatives from multiple agencies and activities representing or supporting current and potential future commercial space acquisition and/or integration efforts.

• Analyze gaps and identify/harmonize solutions to integrate mature, game-changing commercial / innovation base capabilities into government space architectures to meet critical customer needs

• Support exercise and wargaming activities involving commercial capabilities by developing metrics to measure success against objectives; providing analysis of performance, military utility, and maturity; and developing and publishing analysis products for government and contracted company use in refining the commercial product or service integration

• Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed particularly as Space Systems Command is changing to embrace commercial innovation and capabilities. 

What You Need to be Successful – Project Leader

Minimum Requirements:

• This position requires 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. 

• Eight or more years of related, increasing levels of experience to include supervisory roles leading technical projects in commercial space capabilities, related technologies, and services, and/or space or frontier technology development, engineering, and/or program management is required 

• Proactive, fast learner with the willingness and ability to work in a dynamic, hi-visibility environment with routine engagement with the most executive levels of government and decision makers 

• Proven project manager adept at leveraging additive, potentially unconventional skills from team members in high-performing teams, collaborating across organizational lines to influence stakeholders with diverse interests to align and deliver on common goals

• Space systems engineering experience evaluating technical, operational, or engineering feasibility and suitability attributes of potential solutions vs needs, including performance, resiliency/durability, cost, and schedule.

• Adept at examining strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks/threats in technology trends and customer strategies; identifying and proposing mitigations to risks/threats and means to leverage opportunities at the architecture, program, project, interface, or operational level.

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• A current and active TS/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government, is strongly preferred. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. 

• Advanced degree in a STEM field or Business/Finance equivalent

• Experience in or performing business development activities, including proposal writing or evaluation, executing go-to-market plans and strategies for new, innovative products and services in the aerospace and defense or broader frontier technology markets

• Familiarity with venture capital, private equity, and investment bank roles in the innovation / technology ecosystem

• Familiarity in multiple applications of or functions accomplished by National Security Space Systems, Civil, and Commercial Space Systems and relevant emerging technologies 

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)

$120,800 - $181,100

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change   
• Engage with Impact   
• Foster Innovation   
• Deliver Results  

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.  A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire

• Flexible spending accounts

• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

• Relocation assistance

• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

• Education assistance programs

• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.