Strategic Studies Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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.

Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within NASA, NOAA, and the NNSA, while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors.

The Strategic and Programmatic Assessments (SPA) Division of the Civil Systems Group (CSG) conducts independent cost, schedule, and technical assessments along with strategic studies to support NASA and other civil and commercial customers. Our work helps shape agency-level strategic decision-making for future programs and projects. We are seeking a skilled Cost and Schedule Engineer (Senior Member of the Technical Staff/Project Engineer - Systems Engineering) to join the SPA team to perform independent cost, schedule and risk assessments of current and future programs for NASA and other government agencies.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time on-site in El Segundo, Pasadena, CA, or Crystal City, VA.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead comprehensive programmatic and technical assessments of current and future programs to support agency-level strategic decision-making for NASA, NNSA, NSF, and other civil and commercial customers.
• Perform cost, schedule, and risk analysis throughout the program development lifecycle using MS Project, including detailed earned value analysis to assess programmatic health and inform risk posture.
• Develop analytical products such as independent cost/schedule estimates, architecture studies, technical risk assessments, and comprehensive briefings for senior staff and customer presentations.
• Conduct strategic studies analyzing best practices, standards, and policies across NASA directorates and government agencies, utilizing databases, data sources, and data-driven analytical models.
• Develop innovative programmatic capabilities including Cost Estimating Relationships (CERs), data collection and analysis, Power BI dashboards, data visualizations, and AI/Machine Learning applications.
• Work effectively in a fast-paced team environment managing multiple projects simultaneously, adapting quickly to changing requirements while delivering consistently high-quality products.
• Travel as needed to support various customer locations and project requirements.

What You Need to be Successful - Senior Member of the Technical Staff - Systems Engineering

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's OR Master's degree in STEM field or relevant discipline
• Minimum 5 years of relevant multidisciplinary experience, including spacecraft and launch vehicle concept design and operation, with knowledge of NASA, and/or other federal agencies, missions, technologies, development lifecycle, requirements, and guidelines.
• Experience directly interfacing with senior staff and delivering comprehensive assessment products, with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in space systems engineering, risk assessment, cost modeling and analysis, independent cost estimating, and leading technical programmatic and architecture-level studies.
• Knowledge of programmatic and portfolio analysis tools, databases, and methodologies, including commercially available and in-house capabilities (MS Project, Power BI, AI/ML tools).
• 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 minimum requirements for the Project Engineer - Systems Engineering include:

• Minimum 8 years of relevant multidisciplinary experience, including spacecraft and launch vehicle concept design and operation, with knowledge of NASA missions, and/or other federal agencies, technologies, lifecycle development, requirements, and guidelines.
• Demonstrated leadership in executing and managing complex technical programmatic and architecture-level studies with minimal oversight.
• Advanced customer engagement skills, including direct customer interface, stakeholder management, and delivery of high-impact assessment products with proven track record of published papers/articles, written reports, and conference presentations.
• Experience with programmatic and portfolio analysis tools, databases, and methodologies, including commercially available and in-house capabilities (MS Project, Power BI, AI/ML tools), and experience in innovative database and tool development (XML, VBA, etc.).
• Proven ability to mentor junior staff and lead cross-functional teams across technical and customer-facing organizations.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• MS in Engineering or related technical field; MBA, or similar post-graduate degree
• Previous experience with Aerospace Corporation's programmatic capabilities and organizational structure
• Demonstrated expertise in advanced analytical techniques such as Cost Estimating Relationship (CER) development, Monte Carlo simulation, or machine learning applications for programmatic analysis.
• Track record of leading high-visibility studies or delivering strategic recommendations that influenced major program decisions at NASA or other federal agencies.
• Active security 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)

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 equalopportunity 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,geneticinformation, 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 emailatpeoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org .You can also reviewKnow Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.