Technical Acquisition and Contracts Specialist

The Acquisition Planning and Decision Analytics (APDA) Department is seeking a Senior Acquisition and Systems Engineer to join a diverse, innovative, and highly productive team of acquisition and systems engineering professionals. This growing, geographically distributed department supports a wide range of customers in the National Security, Civil and Commercial, and International Space Communities. APDA applies deep technical expertise and experience to deliver pre-acquisition and systems engineering planning expertise and products to form a sound basis for space, ground, and launch system program acquisition lifecycle activities.

Work Model: This full-time position will be located onsite in any of Aerospace’s campus locations (El Segundo, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; Chantilly, VA,).

What You’ll Be Doing

• A trusted technical program advisor focused on solving some of the nation’s most critical missions with cutting-edge solutions that meet the future head-on.
• Advise key stakeholders and government customers by conducting cradle-to-grave contract support, risk management, and contract support activities to communicate contract administration, compliance, and oversight activities, best practices and lessons learned.
• Collaborate with government 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/portfolio planning and resolving complex contract issues, focusing on clear communication and relationship management.
• Develop recommendations for complex contractual matters, contracts strategy, vendor relationship management, risk assessments and mitigation plans.
• Support modernization of capabilities to better manage, integrate, and share data across the subdivision and ensure the implementation of technical and operational best practices and lessons learned.
• Host educational workshops, brown-bag lunch sessions, and training programs to promote knowledge sharing.
• Develop and deliver accurate and timely reports and presentations that clearly communicate results and solutions to support critical decisions.

Minimum Requirements: Senior Engineering Specialist:

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least 12 years of relevant experience in space-related acquisition and systems engineering
• Previous experience 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 with non-FAR based instruments such as Other Transaction Agreements, Grants, and/or Cooperative Agreements.
• Proven ability to establish and 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:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in Engineering or STEM related field.
• Advanced degree from an accredited program in Engineering or law.
• Contract Management certifications to include Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM), Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), and Certified Commercial Contract Manager (CCCM).
• Prior leadership or management experience, particularly in source selections and acquisition and systems engineering processes.
• 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 systems engineering and acquisition concepts.
• Recognition as a subject matter expert through publications, presentations, or contributions to the professional community.
• Certification in acquisition and/or contracts management recognized professional societies (e.g., INCOSE, DAU, NCMA, PMI).
• Current DoD TS and/or SSBI/SCI Clearance., Acquisitions Management, Aerospace and Defense, Best Practices, Bond Market, Business Operations, Communication Skills, Contract Management, Cost Analysis, Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFAR), Economic Analysis, Failure Analysis, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Federal Contracts, Fixed Price Contract, Government, Healthcare, Internet Security, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, Leading Edge Technology, Legal, Maintain Compliance, Market Analysis, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), Negotiation Skills, Nonprofit, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Product Planning, Program Planning, Proposal Writing, Relationship Management, Research & Development (R&D), Risk Analysis, Risk Management, SED Text Editor, Sales Management, Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI), Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Special Collections, Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), System Architecture, System Lifecycle, Systems Analysis, Systems Engineering, Time Management, United States Department of Defense (DoD), Vendor/Supplier Planning, Vendor/Supplier Relations, Willing to Travel, Writing Skills

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)

$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 - 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

Title: Technical Acquisition and Contracts Specialist Organization: The Aerospace Corp Location: El Segundo Description:

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 Systems Engineering Division (SED) provides unmatched experience in systems engineering to the U.S. government and to numerous public 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., 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., The Aerospace Corp The Aerospace Corporation is a national nonprofit corporation that operates a federally funded research and development center and has more than 4,600 employees. With major locations in Chantilly, Virginia; El Segundo, California; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Colorado Springs, Colorado, Aerospace addresses complex problems across the space enterprise and other areas of national and international significance through agility, innovation, and objective technical leadership. For more information, visit www.aerospace.org.

Company Size: 500 to 999 employees

Industry: Other/Not Classified

Founded: 0