Launch Acquisition Analyst

Astrion; Kirtland (NM); On-site; USD 102,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Astrion is seeking a Launch Acquisition Analyst in Kirtland AFB to support the USSF Space Systems Command Rocket Systems Launch Program. You will engage in acquisition planning, source selections, and documentation development for orbital and suborbital launch service procurements.

The role requires collaboration with government acquisition professionals, engineers, and mission stakeholders to optimize acquisition execution and ensure compliant, timely procurement activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience supporting DoD acquisition, program management, systems engineering, or related activities.
• Experience developing acquisition documentation and supporting acquisition planning activities.
• Familiarity with the Defense Acquisition System and DoD procurement processes.
• Strong technical writing and analytical skills.
• Experience preparing formal Government documentation and briefing materials.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Active Secret clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Support acquisition planning activities for launch service, mission support, and related procurements.
• Assist in developing acquisition schedules, procurement timelines, and acquisition execution plans.
• Support development and maintenance of acquisition strategies.
• Participate in acquisition planning meetings, reviews, and working groups.
• Analyze mission and program requirements and translate technical needs into acquisition products.
• Develop and maintain MRDs, TRDs, SOWs, PWSs, and SOOs with traceability.
• Prepare acquisition documentation for Government review and approval.
• Maintain acquisition records and supporting documentation.
• Support market research activities and source selection efforts.
• Develop acquisition analyses and comparative assessments.
• Identify and track acquisition risks and mitigation strategies.

Skills

DoD acquisition experience

Program management

Systems engineering knowledge

Technical writing

Briefing materials

Active Secret clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physical Science, Mathematics, Acquisition Management, Business, Public Administration, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Microsoft Project

Job description

Job Title: Launch Acquisition Analyst

Location: Kirtland, AFB

Job Status: Full-time

Clearance: Secret

Certification: N/A

Travel: ~25%

Salary: Estimated $120,000 + annually* (depending on experience, certifications, and qualifications)

Overview

Join Astrion in supporting the United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP) as a Launch & Targets Program Management Specialist. RSLP plays a pivotal role as the primary provider of Research & Development (R&D) launch services that contribute to National Security objectives. This dynamic program offers critical services such as flight test mission integration, program management, mission planning, range services, payload integration, and much more, supporting both orbital and suborbital missions for various Government customers. RSLP is also responsible for the storage and sustainment of decommissioned Minuteman (MM) and Peacekeeper (PK) missile assets.

This position directly supports the RSLP Acquisition Branch and is responsible for acquisition planning, acquisition documentation development, source selection support, requirements development, market research, acquisition strategy development, and acquisition program execution activities associated with orbital and suborbital launch service acquisitions.

This position is not a Contracting Officer (1102) role and is not a Mission Manager role. The successful candidate will function as an acquisition-focused integrator supporting launch service procurement activities, acquisition strategy development, requirements generation, source selections, and acquisition program execution.

The successful candidate will work closely with Government acquisition professionals, program managers, engineers, contracting personnel, and mission stakeholders to develop acquisition products, support procurement activities, and improve acquisition execution across the RSLP portfolio.

Required Qualifications / Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physical Science, Mathematics, Acquisition Management, Business, Public Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience supporting DoD acquisition, program management, systems engineering, or related activities.
• Experience developing acquisition documentation and supporting acquisition planning activities.
• Familiarity with the Defense Acquisition System and DoD procurement processes.
• Strong technical writing and analytical skills.
• Experience preparing formal Government documentation and briefing materials.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Active Secret clearance.

Preferred Qualifications / Skills

• USAF/USSF 63A Acquisition Program Management experience.
• Experience supporting SSC, Space Systems Command, Air Force, Space Force, Missile Defense Agency, NRO, DARPA, or other national security space organizations.
• Experience supporting launch service acquisitions, space systems acquisitions, or developmental acquisition programs.
• Experience supporting source selections and acquisition strategy development.
• Experience with risk management and requirements management processes.
• Knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and DoD acquisition policy.
• PMP, DAWIA Program Management Practitioner/Advanced, APDP, or equivalent acquisition certification.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

Acquisition Planning

• Support acquisition planning activities for launch service, mission support, and related procurements.
• Assist in developing acquisition schedules, procurement timelines, and acquisition execution plans.
• Support development and maintenance of acquisition strategies.
• Participate in acquisition planning meetings, reviews, and working groups.

Requirements Development

• Analyze mission and program requirements and assist in translating technical needs into acquisition products.
• Support development and maintenance of:
  • Mission Requirements Documents (MRDs).
  • Technical Requirements Documents (TRDs).
  • Statements of Work (SOWs).
  • Performance Work Statements (PWSs).
  • Statements of Objectives (SOOs).
• Ensure requirements traceability across acquisition documentation.

Acquisition Documentation

• Prepare acquisition documentation for Government review and approval.
• Support development of:
  • Acquisition Strategy Documents.
  • Early Strategy and Issues Session (ESIS) packages.
  • Contract Data Requirements Lists (CDRLs).
  • Request for Proposal (RFP) Sections L & M.
  • Source Selection documentation.
  • Acquisition planning artifacts.
• Maintain acquisition records and supporting documentation.

Source Selection & Market Research Support

• Support market research activities.
• Assist with industry capability assessments.
• Support proposal evaluations and source selection activities.
• Develop acquisition analyses and comparative assessments.
• Conduct research to support acquisition decision-making.

Risk Management & Program Analysis

• Support acquisition risk identification and tracking.
• Assist with development of mitigation strategies.
• Analyze acquisition impacts to cost, schedule, and performance.
• Develop recommendations to improve acquisition execution and efficiency.

Program Execution Support

• Support Integrated Product Team (IPT) activities.
• Maintain schedules, action item trackers, and acquisition status reports.
• Prepare meeting materials, minutes, and briefing products.
• Track acquisition milestones and deliverables.
• Assist with implementation of acquisition process improvements and digital workflows.