Mission Assurance Project Leader

The Aerospace Corporation; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 121,000 - 181,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

401(k) plan

Relocation assistance

Telework options

Education assistance

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in Chantilly, VA is seeking an experienced professional for an Engineering Specialist – Mission Assurance Engineering role. You will partner with government programs to mitigate supply chain and industrial base risks, lead interdisciplinary teams, and influence policy guidance for space systems.

We offer opportunities to lead supplier assessments, manage complex procurements, and advance mission assurance in defense space programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, sciences, mathematics, or related discipline.
• 8 years of progressively more responsible engineering/scientific experience including team leadership.
• Experience with procurement of specialized materials and complex assemblies for defense space IPTs.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the government to identify and mitigate supply chain issues for government programs.
• Develop strategies to address technology obsolescence and industrial base concerns.
• Analyze parts anomalies with Aerospace labs and industry to determine root causes.
• Lead projects related to manufacture or certification of critical technologies.
• Assess and apply supply chain risk management tools with government partners.
• Plan supplier assessments to identify process shortfalls against AS9100 criteria.
• Perform assignments independently with broad objectives and latitude.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Problem solving

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, sciences, mathematics, or related discipline

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.

Systems Engineering Division (SED)

The Systems Engineering Division (SED) provides unmatched experience in systems engineering to the U.S. government and to numerous public and private agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, consortia, and commercial companies involved in the advanced application of space technology. From systems architecture development to system analysis and optimization, astrodynamics, orbital debris, navigation, failure analysis, mission assurance, cost and schedule assessment, and economic market analysis. SED exploits an incredibly broad array of engineering and business disciplines against a dynamic portfolio of programs and national challenges.

Mission Assurance Subdivision (MAS) and Manufacturing and Mission Assurance Department (MMAD)

The Mission Assurance Subdivision (MAS) uses objective and repeatable methods to deliver risk and safety assessments, reliability optimization and resiliency planning, operational readiness, and product assurance. MAS supports acquisition and systems engineering of systems, systems-of-systems, facilities, and enterprises across the lifecycle for the USSF, NASA, NOAA, Intelligence Community (IC) and other Agencies. The manufacturing and mission assurance department (MMAD) provides product and process assurance and manufacturing expertise across the acquisition lifecycle. A particular interest of MMAD is increasing capability in industrial base assessment, effective supplier and subcontractor management, and supply chain risk identification and mitigation strategies. Given the transition to proliferated constellations, with accelerated acquisition timelines and higher volume production, effective industrial base capability assessment, supply chain risk identification, management and mitigation, supply chain requirement development, oversight and execution, and problem resolution is critical to successful government contract execution.

Industrial Base/Supply Chain Engineer – (Project Leader – Mission Assurance Engineering)

Will serve as an integration leader and/or coordinator of a team of technical contributors performing industrial base assessments across the space system lifecycle, supporting future strategy for data-supported risk decisions related to the industrial base, supporting independent reviews of supplier/subcontractor facilities, capabilities and processes, and influencing space system industrial base policy and guidance that effect operational reliability. This person will organize and lead interdisciplinary teams to perform industrial base studies involving forward looking risk and mission assurance assessments of space systems.

Work Model

This is a full-time position based in Chantilly, VA which requires 100% onsite work.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Partner with the government to identify and mitigate supply chain, industrial base and space vehicle parts issues and quality concerns for a broad range of government programs.
• Develop strategies to mitigate industrial base issues and concerns impacting the availability of components and to address technology obsolescence concerns including research and development infusion or industrial base financial stimulation necessary to ensure industry capability to meet government production needs.
• Work with internal Aerospace labs and subject matter experts along with industry in the analysis of parts anomalies and product disruptions to determine root cause and to qualify alternatives.
• Lead and monitor technical projects related to the manufacture or certification of technologies whose current or future availability are at risk, and which are critical to current and future programs.
• Partner with the government to evaluate and employ commercially available industrial base illumination and supply chain risk management assessment tools.
• Develop, plan and execute on‑site supplier assessments against AS9100 and supplier policy criteria to identify process shortfalls and concerns.
• Perform complex assignments independently without appreciable direction exercising considerable latitude in determining objectives and approaches to assignment.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the (Engineering Specialist – Mission Assurance Engineering)

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, sciences, mathematics, or related discipline.
• 8 years of progressively more responsible engineering/scientific experience including experience leading a team, process, and/or projects from conception to completion.
• Previous experience working with vendors and other agencies to mitigate supply‑chain issues.
• Experience with planning, developing, and executing procurement of specialized materials, and complex assemblies for a defense space Integrated Product Team (IPT), Program, or collection of Programs.
• Experience developing new suppliers, performing supply‑chain risk management, assessing supplier performance, developing and executing supplier return‑to‑green mitigation plans, and supply chain issue resolution plans.
• Experience developing and performing supplier on‑site assessments and root cause, corrective action investigations.
• Effective, concise, compelling communication skills.
• Ability to build relationships across the government, SETAs, prime contractors and sub‑tier suppliers.
• Ability to lead interdisciplinary teams.
• This position requires a current and active TS/SCI clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government.
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

• Background in government acquisitions.
• Familiarity with Space Industrial Base.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with Mission Assurance Compliance Standards, FAR/DFARS regulations and agency supplements.
• Proven experience with supplier management including development and execution of hardware specifications, Statement of Work, terms and conditions, and Contract Data deliverables for major/key subcontractors.
• Experience formulating and utilizing appropriate metrics and indicators to manage and improve supplier/subcontractor performance.
• Direct experience cultivating and maintaining strong working relationships with program leadership, government, prime contractors and sub‑tier suppliers.
• Proven team leadership.

Compensation and Benefits

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.

Grade‑based pay range for this job: (Min - Max) $120,800.00 - $181,100.00. Pay Basis: Annual.

Leadership Competencies

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

Benefits

• 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 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.

Security Clearance and Citizenship

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