Contract Talent Acquisition Sourcer

The Aerospace Corporation; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

Telework options

401(k) Plan

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in Chantilly, VA is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Specialist II/III to join our People Acquisition team, focusing on direct sourcing of top technical talent for aerospace and defense roles.

You will develop sourcing strategies, build robust pipelines, and manage multiple requisitions, leveraging ATS and market knowledge to engage cleared and non-cleared candidates. This onsite contract role offers a dynamic, high-impact environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years of progressive recruiting/sourcing experience with successful candidate engagement and closing.
• Proven ability to build talent pipelines and develop new sourcing channels for diverse positions.
• Expert knowledge of sourcing tools, methodologies, and Boolean search techniques.
• Experience sourcing both cleared and non-cleared passive candidates and structuring outreach.

Responsibilities

• Manage and prioritize multiple sourcing requests with organized workflows.
• Develop and execute comprehensive sourcing strategies to build technical talent pipelines.
• Build and maintain a network of potential candidates through market research and relationship management.
• Maintain meticulous records of candidate data and interactions in the ATS.
• Collaborate with hiring managers to determine optimal sourcing mix for each role.

Skills

Direct sourcing

Boolean search

Candidate engagement

Relationship management

Sourcing metrics

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

High School Diploma

Tools

Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

Job description

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.

The Aerospace Corporation has an exciting opportunity for a Strategic Sourcing Specialist II/III to join our talented and collaborative team. In this role, you'll partner with our People Acquisition team to identify and engage top talent through creative and innovative sourcing strategies. We're a dynamic, progressive team looking for a proactive go-getter who's passionate about connecting exceptional candidates with meaningful opportunities.

The ideal candidate brings strong direct sourcing expertise, exceptional organizational skills, and thrives in fast-paced environments managing multiple requisitions simultaneously.

Success in this position requires creativity, persistence, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to build authentic relationships with highly sought-after talent for high-demand, niche technical roles.

This position is an onsite contract opportunity supporting the Aerospace Corporation in Chantilly, VA. The selected candidate will be hired through a third-party contracting company and will not be a direct employee of The Aerospace Corporation.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Manage and prioritize multiple sourcing requests, maintaining organized workflows and ensuring timely delivery on all requisitions
• Develop and execute comprehensive sourcing strategies to build robust technical talent pipelines
• Build and maintain a strong network of potential candidates through continuous market research and relationship management
• Maintain meticulous records of candidate information, interactions, and status updates in our Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
• Partner with hiring managers to understand ongoing needs and determine the optimal sourcing mix for each role
• Organize and coordinate sourcing activities across multiple business units, balancing competing priorities effectively
• Leverage social networks, professional platforms, and other channels to connect with target talent

What You Need to be Successful

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Three or more years of progressive recruiting/sourcing experience with demonstrated success in candidate engagement and closing
• Exceptional knowledge of sourcing tools, methodologies, and Boolean search techniques
• Proven ability to build talent pipelines and develop new sourcing channels for diverse positions
• Deep understanding of the external recruiting landscape and talent market trends
• Experience sourcing both cleared and non-cleared passive candidates
• Ability to leverage sourcing metrics and data in strategic conversations with stakeholders
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently while managing competing deadlines

What You Can Stand Out

• Bachelor's degree in related field
• Prior agency recruiting experience
• Experience recruiting for aerospace, defense, or highly technical industries
• Leadership

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

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

A work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various 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 employer. 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 [e-mail] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.

Right Place

The Aerospace Corporation has over 26 locations nationwide, which allows us to build a workforce that will nurture the best ideas, and generate the most novel innovations and solutions to our nation’s toughest space enterprise challenges.

Right Path

Aerospace covers all stages of the space lifecycle, from concept to operations. We believe our people are our most valuable resource and that’s why we propel our employees forward in their careers through ongoing education, training, and professional development.

Right Purpose

We can all serve a mission much greater than ourselves, and at Aerospace that is exactly what we do. By hiring the industry’s most preeminent scientists and engineers, Aerospace advances emerging technologies that protect some of the most critical missions on Earth and above it.

Aerospace employees working in organizations with technical responsibilities are required to obtain a Security Clearance. U.S. citizenship is required for those positions.