Program Management & Acquisition Support - Space RCO

Stellar Solutions; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Stellar Solutions in Albuquerque, NM, seeks a Program Management & Acquisition Support professional to deliver Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance to a government rapid capabilities organization developing space capabilities. This role covers time-critical acquisition, tests, transitions, and program execution across space vehicles, subsystems, and ground systems.

You will work in a small, empowered team, providing program leadership, evaluating performance, coordinating acquisition

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten years of DoD/IC/industry experience.
• Experience testing satellite systems.
• Understanding of operational environments and mission-user needs.
• Knowledge of space systems engineering, development, and manufacturing.
• Experience with Developmental Test or Operational Test activities at Service/Command level.
• Experience with DoD program management, including development and transition.
• Experience with Integrated Master Schedules and program risks.
• Experience drafting Statements of Work and Performance Work Statements.
• Ability to communicate clearly in written and verbal formats.
• ABET-accredited engineering degree or PE license.
• Master’s degree (MA/MS/ME) is required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a program advisory lead for time-critical technical projects and tests.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to identify needs and develop solutions and plans.
• Support acquisition planning, market research, and acquisition documentation.
• Assess technical sufficiency, cost, quality, schedule, and delivery of products.
• Collaborate with engineers to resolve program and system challenges.
• Manage programs consisting of multiple projects with coordinated resources.
• Draft and coordinate program reports, acquisition documents, and executive briefings.
• Coordinate with HQs and acquisition organizations.
• Develop and coordinate transition agreements for operational use.
• Advise management on acquisition strategy, execution, and design challenges.

Skills

Program management

Acquisition planning

Space systems engineering

Test experience

Integrated Master Schedule

SOW/PWS development

Clear communication

DOD/IC experience

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Master’s degree (MA/MS/ME)

Job description

Program Management & Acquisition Support - Space RCO

Stellar Solutions, a nationally recognized "Great Place To Work", has exciting opportunities providing Engineering solutions for innovative new-entrant space companies, as well as established space systems manufacturers, commercial space system operators and service providers, and other industry stakeholders including investors.

At Stellar Solutions, we offer talented, energetic, and immediately productive resources to satisfy our customers' critical needs in systems engineering and integration, mission operations, program management and strategic planning. We are a leading service and expertise provider for high-tech commercial ventures, spanning communications, earth observation and remote sensing systems and data products, to the infrastructures that support earth orbiting and beyond earth orbit businesses.

Stellar Solutions is seeking a Program Management and Acquisition Support professional to provide Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance to a government rapid capabilities organization responsible for developing and delivering advanced space capabilities. This role supports time-critical acquisition, test, transition, and program execution activities involving space vehicles, subsystems, ground systems, and command-and-control capabilities. The successful candidate will bring strong technical and project management expertise, sound judgment, and the ability to deliver results in a high-profile, fast-paced environment.

You will work within a small, highly empowered team in which each member contributes directly to program success. The role provides program leadership and technical insight across space-rated hardware, software, sensors, processors, satellite vehicle buses, subsystems, and ground systems. You will help the government team evaluate program performance, coordinate acquisition and transition activities, and translate complex technical information into actionable recommendations for management and executive leadership.

Key responsibilities include:

• Serve as a program advisory lead for time-critical technical projects, test activities, and tasks requiring technical and project management expertise.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to identify program needs and develop solutions, schedules, and courses of action that support project goals.
• Support acquisition planning, market research, and the development of technical requirements and acquisition documentation.
• Assess the technical sufficiency, cost, quality, schedule, and timely delivery of program products and deliverables.
• Collaborate with engineers and other technical specialists to provide advice and resolve program and system challenges.
• Support the management and execution of programs consisting of multiple projects, ensuring activities are coordinated and resources are used effectively.
• Draft, review, edit, and coordinate program reports, acquisition documents, decision materials, and executive briefings.
• Coordinate with operational units, higher headquarters, Combatant Command staffs, acquisition organizations, and research and development functions.
• Develop, track, and coordinate agreements and documentation needed to transition program capabilities into operational organizing, training, and equipping frameworks.
• Advise government management on acquisition strategy, program execution, design challenges, delivery, integration, and system program reviews.
• Perform independently on high-visibility and mission-critical aspects of program execution.
• Translate complex technical ideas and data into clear, actionable recommendations and differentiated courses of action.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of ten years of relevant Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, or industry experience.
• Demonstrated experience or qualifications in testing satellite systems.
• Understanding of operational environments and associated mission-user needs.
• Knowledge of space systems engineering, development, and manufacturing.
• Experience supporting Developmental Test or Operational Test activities at the Service or Command level.
• Experience with Department of Defense program management, including program development and transition.
• Experience developing or managing Integrated Master Schedules and program risks.
• Experience preparing, reviewing, or executing Statements of Work and Performance Work Statements.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and accurately in written and verbal formats.
• Engineering degree from an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology-accredited program or a Professional Engineer license.
• Relevant Master of Arts, Master of Science, or Master of Engineering degree.

Desired Qualifications

• Graduate of a formal test and evaluation long course, such as the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, EMPIRE, or EPNER.
• Experience providing Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance to a government program office.
• Experience supporting rapid prototyping efforts.
• Experience with integrated air, space, and cyberspace capabilities.
• Experience developing, deploying, or maintaining ground mission-planning architectures and software.
• Experience supporting Department of Defense Acquisition Category I or II programs.
• Experience supporting both Developmental Test and Operational Test activities at the Service and Command levels.
• Experience planning and executing test campaigns for space systems.
• Familiarity with Intelligence Community organizations and mission partners.

Clearance & Additional Requirements

• TS/SCI (SSBI)
• Active Top Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information access and Special Access Program eligibility.
• Minimum of two years of combined experience working in Special Access Program and/or Sensitive Compartmented Information environments, including at least one year within the past five years.
• Ability to maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance as a condition of employment.
• Willingness to submit to a Counterintelligence Polygraph.
• Ability to travel up to 25 percent of the time within the continental United States.

Location

This position is full-time, on site in the vicinity of Kirtland AFB, NM (US-NM-Albuquerque) and will require travel up to 25% of time within the continental United States

Compensation

The typical salary range for this position is USD $135,000 - $165,000 per year. Individual pay is determined by many factors including work location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. In addition to salary, this position is also eligible for a discretionary annual performance bonus, retirement plan and other benefits.

Deliverables

Deliverables will be in the format of reports, briefings, spreadsheets, or other documents as directed by the Government, using government approved and/or mandated systems/software and processes governed by guidance/instructions/policy or direction.