Space Industrial Base and Commercial Capabilities Advisor - Department of the Air Force (DAF)

About this role

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 Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Material Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers’ portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

We are seeking a Space Industrial Base and Commercial Capabilities Advisor to join a multidisciplinary team focused on strengthening the U.S. space industrial base and advancing resilient space acquisition strategies. In this role, you will lead high-impact studies and sponsor engagements that inform strategic investment decisions, acquisition planning, and industrial base policy across the national security space community.

This position will provide objective technical support to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration (SAF/SQ) to address emerging challenges spanning commercial integration, supply chain resilience, technology transition, manufacturing capacity, and the evolving space marketplace. You will lead teams of technical experts and analysts to deliver independent, data-driven recommendations that improve acquisition outcomes and enhance the long-term competitiveness of the U.S. space industrial base.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, onsite in Arlington, VA to include the Aerospace facility in Crystal City, the Pentagon and other associated facilities.     

Wha t You’ll Be Doing • Lead multidisciplinary project teams conducting objective analyses of the national security space industrial base including assessing industrial base capabilities, supplier ecosystems, market dynamics, manufacturing trends, and commercial space developments to identify strategic risks and opportunities. • Serve as the primary interface with government sponsors, establishing trusted relationships and ensuring delivery of high-quality technical products • Evaluate acquisition strategies, contracting approaches, and technology transition pathways that accelerate delivery of resilient space capabilities. • Conduct executive-level studies that support investment planning, industrial base strategy, and acquisition decision-making. • Prepare and deliver clear, concise briefings and written assessments translating complex technical analysis into actionable recommendations • Collaborate across Aerospace engineering, economics, policy, acquisition, and systems analysis organizations to address complex customer challenges. • Contribute to the development of new analytical capabilities and sponsor engagements aligned with emerging national security priorities. • Deliver results on time-sensitive staff inquiries and provide technical support in the development of position papers and official responses to Congress, the Office of the Secretary of War, and other Department of the Air Force organizations • The selected candidate must work effectively in an onsite environment with the customer and work with senior Government leaders, contractors, other government agencies, the various Aerospace program offices, and the Aerospace Engineering and Technical Group (ETG) to address issues and provide the customer with the best available technical analyses and recommendations to ensure coherent, end-to-end technical insight

What You Need to be Successful   Minimum Requirements for Senior Project Engineer – Systems Engineering – Acquisition and Systems Engineering: • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, operations research, economics, business, public policy, or a related technical field • 12 or more years of progressively responsible experience supporting defense, intelligence, aerospace, or national security organizations • Proven ability to work effectively with high-functioning teams composed of, for example, government, civilians, military personnel, co-located FFRDC, and SETA contractors • Demonstrated success leading complex analytical or technical projects involving multiple stakeholders • Knowledge of the U.S. national security space enterprise, defense acquisition processes, and the commercial space industry • Experience developing executive-level briefings and communicating technical findings to senior decision-makers • Strong project management, analytical, and organizational skills • Ability to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance with eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), issued by the US government. US citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.

How You Can Stand Out It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: • Advanced degree in a technical or policy discipline • Experience in the commercial

Similar jobs

• Business Development Associate - U.S. Air Force — Chaosindustries · Washington, District of Columbia, United States
• Business Development & Strategy Associate - U.S. Air Force — Chaosindustries · Washington, District of Columbia, United States
• Business Development and Capture Manager - U.S. Air Force — Chaosindustries · Washington, District of Columbia, United States
• Principal, Business Development Air Force — Turbineone · Remote
• AFSIM Operations Analyst, Mission Engineering, Air Dominance & Strike, Active Clearance — Andurilindustries · Ashville, Ohio, United States; Costa Mesa, California, United States
• Business Development Representative — DoD / U.S. Air Force — Rackner · Remote
• Business Lead, Enterprise Defense Industrial Base — Eudia · Remote
• Senior USAF Business Development Manager — Epirus · Washington, District of Columbia, United States