Technical Acquisition and Contracts Specialist

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 151,000 - 227,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health care

Relocation assistance

Professional growth programs

Education assistance

Inclusive work environment

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation seeks a Senior Acquisition and Systems Engineer to join a diverse, highly productive team. This onsite role supports the APDA Department across national security, civil, and international space programs.

Ideal candidates will have 12+ years in space acquisition and systems engineering, with strong contract management and DoD contracting experience. Domestic travel up to 10% and a TS/SCI clearance are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field required.
• At least 12 years of relevant experience in space-related acquisition and systems engineering.
• Experience leading highly technical project teams.
• Contract lifecycle knowledge from proposal through closeout.
• Government contracting experience with FAR/DFAR guidelines.
• Experience with non-FAR instruments like OTAs, grants, or cooperative agreements.
• Proven ability to collaborate across staff, management, programs, customers, and contractors.
• Excellent written and oral communication; commitment to inclusion.
• Domestic travel up to 10% is expected.
• Current TS/SCI clearance is required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted technical advisor on critical missions with contract oversight.
• Provide cradle-to-grave contract support and risk management.
• Advise stakeholders on contracting strategies with government customers.
• Resolve complex contract issues through independent judgment.
• Develop recommendations on contracts strategy and vendor relations.
• Modernize data sharing and implement best practices across the division.
• Host workshops and training to promote knowledge sharing.
• Prepare accurate reports and presentations for critical decisions.

Skills

Contract management

FAR/DFAR contracting

Government contracting

Acquisition planning

Systems engineering

Program leadership

Risk management

Stakeholder communication

Travel up to 10%

TS/SCI Clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree in Engineering or law

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 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 diverse and dynamic portfolio of programs and national challenges.

The Acquisition Planning and Decision Analytics (APDA) Department is seeking a Senior Acquisition and Systems Engineer to join a diverse, innovative, and highly productive team of acquisition and systems engineering professionals. This growing, geographically distributed department supports a wide range of customers in the National Security, Civil and Commercial, and International Space Communities. APDA applies deep technical expertise and experience to deliver pre-acquisition and systems engineering planning expertise and products to form a sound basis for space, ground, and launch system program acquisition lifecycle activities.

Work Model: This full-time position will be located onsite in any of Aerospace’s campus locations (El Segundo, CA or Chantilly, VA).

What You’ll Be Doing

• A trusted technical program advisor focused on solving some of the nation's most critical missions with cutting-edge solutions that meet the future head-on.
• Advise key stakeholders and government customers by conducting cradle-to-grave contract support, risk management, and contract support activities to communicate contract administration, compliance, and oversight activities, best practices and lessons learned.
• Collaborate with government program office customers, stakeholders, and colleagues to provide agile, responsive, and decisive advice on diverse and innovative contracting strategies.
• Exercise independent judgment and discretion in project/program/portfolio planning and resolving complex contract issues, focusing on clear communication and relationship management.
• Develop recommendations for complex contractual matters, contracts strategy, vendor relationship management, risk assessments and mitigation plans.
• Support modernization of capabilities to better manage, integrate, and share data across the subdivision and ensure the implementation of technical and operational best practices and lessons learned.
• Host educational workshops, brown-bag lunch sessions, and training programs to promote knowledge sharing.
• Develop and deliver accurate and timely reports and presentations that clearly communicate results and solutions to support critical decisions.

What You Need To Be Successful

Minimum Requirements: Senior Engineering Specialist:

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least 12 years of relevant experience in space-related acquisition and systems engineering
• Previous experience leading highly technical project teams.
• Requires contracts management understanding to support the Contract Lifecycle from proposal preparation and strategy through submittal, negotiations, execution, and closeout.
• Experienced with Government (FAR / DFAR) contracting: Fixed Price (FP), Time & Material (T&M), Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF), Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), Level of Effort (LOE), Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type contracts.
• Experience with non-FAR based instruments such as Other Transaction Agreements, Grants, and/or Cooperative Agreements.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across corporate staff, peers, management, program offices, customers, and contractors.
• Excellent communications skills, both written and oral.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive environment that promotes excellence and collaboration.
• Willing to travel domestically up to 10%.
• Current TS /SCI Clearance

How You Can Stand Out

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in Engineering or STEM related field.
• Advanced degree from an accredited program in Engineering or law.
• Contract Management certifications to include Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM), Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), and Certified Commercial Contract Manager (CCCM).
• Prior leadership or management experience, particularly in source selections and acquisition and systems engineering processes.
• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across all organizational levels.
• Knowledge of government (e.g., DoD, NRO, NASA) acquisition and systems engineering policies and practices, space systems, and advanced space technologies.
• Familiarity with systems engineering and acquisition concepts.
• Recognition as a subject matter expert through publications, presentations, or contributions to the professional community.
• Certification in acquisition and/or contracts management recognized professional societies (e.g., INCOSE, DAU, NCMA, PMI).
• Current DoD TS and/or SSBI/SCI Clearance

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. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

$151,300.00 - $226,900.00

Pay Basis: Annual

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 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
• 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.