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.
At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.
The Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, developmental planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape future space missions across the national security space enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including United States Space Force, United States Space Command, Air Force Material Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers but also horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation.
The Center for Space Policy and Strategy (CSPS) is dedicated to shaping the future of space by providing nonpartisan research and strategic analysis to decisionmakers and to informing broader public discussions of space policy. CSPS is part of The Aerospace Corporation, a nonprofit organization that advises the government on complex space enterprise and systems engineering problems. The Center is looking for a national security policy analyst to the team.
Work Model
This is envisioned as a hybrid position in Crystal City, Virginia. It is possible that the role can be based out of our El Segundo, CA Chantilly, VA, Albuquerque, NM, and Colorado Springs, CO locations.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Work together with a small team of policy analysts
- Develop paper ideas on pressing national security issues related to the space enterprise
- Conducting time-sensitive strategic analysis at the intersection of technology and policy for senior government leaders
- Research and write papers on technological and national security space policy topics and support/organize events to build understanding around them
- Present material to a variety of audiences, including briefings to senior leaders and presentations at public conferences
- Collaborate closely with technical experts, assisting them in their writing of policy papers
This position is available as a Senior Member of Technical Staff or Project Engineer
What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in a technical or policy-relevant field
- 5+ years of technical or policy-relevant field
- Demonstrated ability to write clear and compelling prose, especially for communicating complex and technical issues to non-technical audiences
- Demonstrated command of defense space topics, including the overlap of commercial space for defense applications, approaches for defending space architectures, and defense space partnerships with allies and other international partners
- The ability to develop, design, and deliver self-initiated and customer-funded work based on quantitative and qualitative research methods
- Strong skills researching, writing, and publicizing policy and strategy
- Multi-disciplinary academic background that demonstrates an ability to integrate technical considerations into strategic problem solving
- Understanding of executive branch and congressional policy formulation processes and their effects on national security and space policy
- This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
In addition to the above, the Project Engineer job title requires the following:
- 8+ years of technical or policy-relevant field
- Advanced degree in a relevant subject area (policy, economics, history, or a technical discipline)
- Bringing their own area of expertise, including the skills to research, write, and present in that area as well as have extensive relationships and standing with other experts in the area
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
- A strong record of publication and research leadership that distinguishes you as a public intellectual contributor in the field
- Meaningful experience working with senior levels in government
- Deep connections across the national security policy community
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)
$101,000 - $171,000
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:
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Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
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Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
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Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
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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
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Flexible spending accounts
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Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
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Relocation assistance
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Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
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Education assistance programs
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An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect
We are all unique, from diverse 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/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. 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 ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.