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Senior Tactical SATCOM Acquisition & Engineering Advisor
El Segundo, CA

Who We Are
Aurex is a mission-focused aerospace and defense company building the next frontier of deterrence. From hypersonics and missile defense to hardened networks and orbital systems, we design, test, and deliver the platforms that turn unproven ideas into battlefield-ready capability.

Born in Huntsville and built for speed, Aurex brings together aerospace veterans, combat-tested operators, and forward-leaning technologists to solve problems that matterfast. We move from whiteboard to warfighter with precision, clarity, and zero tolerance for fluff.

Your Role
Aurex is seeking a Senior Tactical SATCOM Acquisition & Engineering Advisor to support the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC) in planning, architecting, and executing next-generation Tactical SATCOM acquisition programs. This senior-level position provides strategic acquisition leadership and technical guidance across complex space and ground system portfolios supporting critical national security missions.

You will partner with government customers, industry teammates, and Department of Defense stakeholders to integrate technical, programmatic, and strategic activities throughout the acquisition lifecycle. This role requires a seasoned leader capable of advising senior decision-makers while supporting day-to-day program execution across cost, schedule, performance, risk, and technical integration.

The ideal candidate combines deep acquisition expertise with systems engineering knowledge and the ability to influence stakeholders at both the enterprise and program levels. Your leadership will directly support the modernization of resilient SATCOM capabilities that strengthen connectivity, mission readiness, and strategic deterrence for the U.S. Space Force.

Key Responsibilities
Acquisition & Program Management

• Support the planning, execution, and oversight of major SSC space and ground system acquisition efforts.
• Monitor and assess program performance, cost, schedule, risk, and contractor execution.
• Prepare, review, and coordinate acquisition documentation in accordance with Space Force and DoD acquisition policies.
• Develop recurring and ad hoc reports, program artifacts, executive briefings, and decision-support materials.

Technical Integration & Engineering Support

• Provide engineering and acquisition expertise across multiple system developers and contractors.
• Lead technical integration efforts through collaboration with government stakeholders, technical leads, and mission partners.
• Support source selection activities, including technical proposal evaluations.
• Deliver technical guidance at both the program execution and enterprise strategic levels.

Strategic Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Advise government leadership on acquisition strategy, technical risk, system integration, and program priorities.
• Coordinate with Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), Air Force Headquarters, and other senior organizations to support enterprise objectives.
• Present complex technical and acquisition information to senior government decision-makers.
• Foster a collaborative, transparent, and mission-focused environment through servant leadership.

Productivity & Mission Execution

• Produce high-quality deliverables under demanding schedules using Microsoft Office and modern productivity tools, including GenAI platforms.
• Respond effectively to rapidly changing priorities and high-visibility taskings.
• Support continuous improvement of acquisition processes and program execution.

Basic Qualifications

• Senior Materiel Leader (SML) experience leading strategic and tactical acquisition portfolios.
• Bachelor's degree and Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Completion of DoD strategic leadership education, such as the Eisenhower School or equivalent.
• Extensive experience supporting DoD acquisition programs involving space and ground systems.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership at both execution and enterprise levels.
• Experience supporting OSD-level or Air Force Headquarters organizations.
• Strong understanding of DoD acquisition processes, systems engineering, and technical program management.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence senior government and industry stakeholders.
• Demonstrated servant leadership with exceptional collaboration and relationship-building skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience leveraging GenAI tools to produce high-quality deliverables.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience supporting Department of Defense acquisition programs, including leadership of complex space and/or ground system acquisition efforts, with demonstrated experience advising senior government stakeholders. Experience supporting U.S. Space Force, Air Force, or other national security space programs is strongly preferred

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Tactical SATCOM or military space communications programs.
• Knowledge of U.S. Space Force and SSC acquisition organizations and mission areas.
• Experience supporting source selections for major defense acquisition programs.
• Familiarity with space system integration, mission engineering, and enterprise architecture.
• Active Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility or higher.

How You Will Be Rewarded
The salary range for this role is $195,000 - $220,00 annually. We offer a comprehensive total rewards approach to compensation, providing incentives and benefits that extend far beyond the base salary. Compensation is determined by the candidate's work experience, education, training, and relevant skills. We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support our employees' health, well-being, and professional growth.

Location: El Segundo, CA

Aurex is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It prohibits discrimination, retaliation, or any type of harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, citizenship, immigration status, or any other legally protected status in employment, including in hiring, firing, and recruiting decisions. All applicants must be authorized to work lawfully in the United States for positions at Aurex. There may be limited circumstances in which a law, regulation, executive order, or government contract would require certain citizenship; only in those limited circumstances would Aurex require certain citizenship status to comply with the relevant law, regulation, executive order, or government contract applicable to that position. For all other positions, Aurex does not consider an applicants citizenship but only requires that the applicant be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. If a position is one that falls under export control laws and regulations requiring authorization from the U.S. government to access export-controlled items, any hiring is contingent on the applicant passing the export compliance assessment, which is separate from the I-9 process, for that specific position. A background check will be required prior to any hire.
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