The Aerospace Corporation

Technical Acquisition and Contracts Specialist

The Aerospace Corporation$151K — $226K *
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required
  • 12+ years of experience in space-related acquisition and systems engineering
  • Proven leadership of highly technical project teams
  • Strong understanding of the full Contract Lifecycle
  • Experienced with FAR/DFAR and non-FAR based contracts
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Current TS/SCI clearance required

Responsibilities

  • Act as a trusted technical advisor for critical missions
  • Conduct cradle-to-grave contract support and risk management
  • Collaborate on innovative contracting strategies
  • Exercise independent judgment in project planning
  • Develop recommendations for complex contractual matters
  • Support modernization of data management capabilities
  • Host educational workshops to promote knowledge sharing

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
  • Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
  • Flexible work schedules, including telework options
  • 401(k) plan with company-paid benefits and matching contributions
  • Education assistance programs for professional growth
  • Relocation assistance available
  • Inclusive work environment fostering teamwork and respect
Full Job Description

The Systems Engineering Division (SED) provides unmatched experience in systems engineering to the U.S. government and tonumerouspublic 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 aSeniorAcquisition andSystemsEngineerto join a diverse, innovative, and highly productive team ofacquisition and systems engineeringprofessionals.Thisgrowing,geographically distributeddepartment supports a wide range of customers in the National Security, Civil and Commercial, and International Space Communities.APDA applies deep technicalexpertiseand experience todeliver pre-acquisition and systems engineering planningexpertiseand products to form a sound basis for space, ground, and launch system program acquisition lifecycle activities.

Work Model:This full-time position will belocatedonsite in any of Aerospaces campus locations (El Segundo, CA; Colorado Springs, CO;Chantilly, VA,).

WhatYoullBe Doing

  • Atrustedtechnical programadvisor focused on solving some of the nations most critical missions withcutting-edgesolutions that meet the future head-on.

  • Advise key stakeholders and government customers by conductingcradle-to-gravecontract support,risk management, and contractsupportactivitiesto communicatecontractadministration, compliance, and oversightactivities, best practices and lessonslearned.

  • Collaborate withgovernment 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/portfolioplanning and resolving complex contract issues, focusing on clear communication and relationship management.

  • Developrecommendations for complex contractual matters,contracts strategy,vendorrelationship management,riskassessmentsand mitigation plans.

  • Support modernization ofcapabilitiesto bettermanage, integrate, and sharedataacross the subdivisionand ensure the implementation oftechnical and operationalbest practicesand lessons learned.

  • Host educational workshops, brown-bag lunch sessions, and training programs to promote knowledge sharing.

  • Develop and deliveraccurateandtimelyreports and presentations that clearly communicate results and solutions to support critical decisions.

What You Need to be Successful

MinimumRequirements:Senior Engineering Specialist:

  • Bachelors degree

  • At least 12 years of relevant experience in space-relatedacquisition and systems engineering

  • Previousexperience 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 withnon-FARbased instruments such as Other Transaction Agreements, Grants, and/or Cooperative Agreements.

  • Proven ability toestablishand 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

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

  • Bachelors degree from an accredited program in Engineering orSTEM related field.

  • Advanced degreefrom an accredited programin Engineeringorlaw.

  • Contract Management certifications toincludeCertified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM), Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), and Certified Commercial Contract Manager (CCCM).

  • Prior leadership or management experience, particularly in source selections andacquisition and systems engineeringprocesses.

  • 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 systemsengineering andacquisitionconcepts.

  • Recognition as a subject matter expert through publications, presentations, or contributions to the professional community.

  • Certification inacquisition and/orcontracts managementrecognized professional societies (e.g.,INCOSE,DAU, NCMA, PMI).

  • Current DoD TS and/or SSBI/SCI Clearance.

We offer a competitive compensation package where youll 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 6 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 otherthe belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

About The Aerospace Corporation

The Aerospace Corporation is a nonprofit corporation that operates a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) headquartered in El Segundo, California. The corporation provides technical guidance and advice on all aspects of space missions to military, civil, and commercial customers. Aerospace also designs and develops spacecraft, sensors, and other systems in support of national security, civil, and commercial customers. The corporation has more than 4,000 employees and operates a number of laboratories and test facilities across the United States.
Learn more about The Aerospace Corporation
Size
4,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1960

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