Launch Acquisition Manager, SSC/AAMX

Air Force Civilian Service; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 106,000 - 164,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Space Force seeks a skilled Launch Acquisition Manager to oversee acquisition programs at Kirtland Air Force Base. This mid-senior level role focuses on developing innovative solutions to program challenges, ensuring alignment among stakeholders, and maintaining management controls for successful program execution in national security.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in managing acquisition programs within cost, schedule, and performance parameters.
• Expertise in defense acquisition, systems development, and lifecycle management.

Responsibilities

• Drive program success through structured acquisition and management plans.
• Develop strong stakeholder relationships and keep leadership informed on key actions.

Skills

Acquisition Management

Leadership

Communication

Planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, program management or related discipline

DAWIA Program Management - Practitioner certification

Job description

Join to apply for the Launch Acquisition Manager, SSC/AAMX role at United States Space Force

3 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Join to apply for the Launch Acquisition Manager, SSC/AAMX role at United States Space Force

United States Space Force provided pay range

This range is provided by United States Space Force. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$106,527.00/yr - $163,646.00/yr

The United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) at Kirtland Air Force Base is searching for a Launch Acquisition Manager (GS-13).

Description:

Are you ready to take on a role where your acquisitions, planning, coordination, and leadership skills make a real impact? We're looking for a dynamic professional to drive program success by developing and executing well-structured acquisition and program management plans that balance cost, schedule, and performance. In this role, you’ll keep leadership informed on key program and acquisition actions, troubleshoot challenges with innovative solutions, and ensure strict adherence to security policies and directives. Your ability to foster collaboration will be crucial in aligning stakeholders and maintaining a seamless team approach to acquisition and program execution.

As a key player in the program’s success, you'll establish and maintain effective management controls, ensuring acquisition strategies and projects stay on track and within budget. Your communication skills will shine as you keep customers fully informed of acquisition milestones and program progress while adapting to shifting priorities. You’ll confidently deliver presentations to DoD and industry leaders, ensuring clarity on project status, accomplishments, and requirements. Your strategic recommendations will shape acquisition policy decisions at the highest levels, minimizing disconnects and driving mission success. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment where acquisitions and program management drive national security objectives, this is the job for you!

The ideal candidate for this position is a highly skilled program management professional with a strong background in defense acquisition, systems development, and lifecycle management. Candidates should have:

• Education & Certification: A bachelor's degree in a relevant field (engineering, business, program management, or related discipline) is highly desirable. This position requires DAWIA Program Management - Practitioner (formally PM Level II) certification or the ability to obtain it.
• Experience: Demonstrated experience in planning, organizing, and managing acquisition programs, ensuring they stay within cost, schedule, and performance parameters. Prior work with DoD, Air Force, or other federal agencies is highly beneficial.
• Technical & Program Knowledge: Expertise in systems acquisition, program management, contracting, engineering, logistics, and financial management. Ability to navigate the complexities of integrated product teams and acquisition strategies.
• Security & Compliance: Must strictly adhere to security policies and be eligible for a Top-Secret security clearance. Position requires compliance with DoD security directives and participation in periodic drug testing.
• Leadership & Communication Skills: Proven ability to lead teams, coordinate with government and industry stakeholders, and communicate effectively at all levels. Must be able to deliver high-quality briefings, reports, and policy recommendations to executive leadership.
• Flexibility & Commitment: Must be willing to travel occasionally, work overtime when required, and meet continuing acquisition education requirements. The role involves critical decision-making under pressure and negotiating effectively with contractors and government officials.

This role is ideal for a motivated, detail-oriented professional eager to make a lasting impact in national security space programs. If you thrive in a dynamic environment where innovation and leadership drive mission success, we encourage you to apply!

Key Skills and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of laws, principles. policies, and practices of systems acquisition and program management.

2. Knowledge or business. industrial management. contracting procedures. technical concepts. and production practices to evaluate contractor proposals and activities.

3. Knowledge of the missions. roles, functions. organizational structures, and operation of the Department of Defense, Air Force, and other entities that govern, interface with, and/or influence the systems acquisition process.

4. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy.

5. Ability to establish and maintain good relationships with individuals and groups within the office as well as outside the immediate work unit.

6. Ability to plan, organize, lead. and manage critical aspects of research. development, production, and support of subsystems or equipment, and integrate, analyze, and manage a variety of acquisition functions and personnel of the support of the process.

Requirements:

1. Must be a U.S Citizen.

2. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance.

3. This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment, and participation in random drug testing.

4. Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft/vehicle to conferences, meetings, or functions away from the duty office/location.

5. May occasionally be required to work overtime.

6. The employee must meet, or be capable of meeting, Defense Acquisition Work Improvement Act (DA WIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.

7. This position has been designated as an acquisition position and is covered by the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP). This position is coded Level II in Program Management.

8. Specialist is required to file an OGE 450 (Confidential financial Disclosure Report), IAW AFR 30-30.

9. Employee is expected to meet Continuing Acquisition Education requirements.

10. Performs other duties as assigned.

11. PCS is not authorized. Incentive is not authorized.

12. This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.

Organization:

The United States Space Force (USSF) is a military service that organizes, trains, and equips military members and civilians to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and provide space capabilities to the joint force. USSF responsibilities include developing Guardians, acquiring military space systems, maturing the military doctrine for space power, and organizing space forces to present to our Combatant Commands (CCMDs).

The strategic importance of space can’t be overstated. Political and humanitarian interests as well as commercial concerns vital to the world economy all rely on space-based systems. Launched in 2019 as the nation’s sixth and newest military branch, the USSF was created to protect the interests and assets of America and its allies in this heavily contested realm. The Department of Defense relies on satellites and advanced space-based technology for secure communications, navigation, real-time reconnaissance, precision targeting on the battlefield, early warning of potential missile launches, and even weather forecasting. Guardians and civilians of the USSF are challenged every day to reach new heights in protecting and amplifying these space-based capabilities and defending our way of life by maintaining our edge in space.

The Space Force wants to attract talent with the character and potential to excel, empower them with information and choices, and develop them in line with their desires and the Space Force’s needs to create a high-performing organization necessary to secure and defend space. Please review the new Guardian Ideal to learn more about the new talent culture within the new U.S. Space Force, as we have a chance to make history and rewrite some of the rules—we hope you are excited about the opportunities this will present!

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Business Development and Sales

• Industries

  Government Administration

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at United States Space Force by 2x

Sign in to set job alerts for “Project Manager” roles.

Technical Project Manager (US based), CXT Software

Project Manager – Marketing & Communications

Albuquerque, NM $60,000.00-$72,000.00 52 minutes ago

Albuquerque, NM $137,280.00-$198,293.33 1 month ago

Albuquerque, NM $137,280.00-$198,293.33 1 month ago

Albuquerque, NM $106,773.33-$144,906.66 1 month ago

Albuquerque, NM $116,480.00-$158,080.00 1 month ago

Albuquerque, NM $149,760.00-$216,320.00 1 month ago

Albuquerque, NM $116,480.00-$158,080.00 1 month ago

Albuquerque, NM $106,773.33-$144,906.66 1 month ago

Albuquerque, NM $149,760.00-$216,320.00 1 month ago

Albuquerque, NM $93,750.00-$137,500.00 2 weeks ago

Albuquerque, NM $75,000.00-$90,000.00 51 minutes ago

Project Manager - Commercial & Multifamily

Special Projects Coordinator-Hire Incentive $2,000

Albuquerque, NM $59,842.00-$94,037.00 6 days ago

(USA) Project Manager II, Implementation And Sustainment - Supply Chain

Albuquerque, NM $41.82-$63.87 3 months ago

Albuquerque, NM $100,000.00-$170,000.00 4 days ago

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.