Acquisition Capability Area Lead

Chantilly, VA; Huntsville, AL
Full-time
$165,300.00 - $247,900.00
Posted Nov 12, 2026

Skills

Communication
Leadership
Procurement
Supply Chain
Systems Engineering
Teamwork
TypeScript

Job 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) delivers unparalleled systems engineering expertise to the U.S. government and a broad network of public and private agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, consortia, and commercial partners advancing space and space-related technologies, programs, and capabilities—including human spaceflight. Spanning the full acquisition lifecycle, SED's capabilities include life cycle systems engineering, acquisition planning, CONOPS development, design and analysis, mission assurance, digital engineering, integration engineering, cost and schedule assessment, supply chain technical risk, and infrastructure design and risk analysis. SED applies a broad array of engineering and business disciplines across a diverse and dynamic portfolio of space and space related programs and national priorities, to drive smarter acquisition decisions, ensure systems are ready when and where needed, and that integrated capabilities perform reliably as intended.

The Acquisition Planning and Decision Analytics (APDA) Department is seeking a Senior Acquisition 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 at one of the following Aerospace’s campus locations (El Segundo, CA; Chantilly, VA; Colorado Springs, CO; Huntsville, AL or Albuquerque, NM).

What You’ll Be Doing

•Lead the Acquisition Engineering capability area with responsibilities in the following: acquisition planning, engineering, procurement and decision analysis across the lifecycle of acquisition programs

•Advise key stakeholders and government customers to communicate acquisition and systems engineering impacts, best practices and lessons learned.

•Lead growth of the acquisition capability area aligned with department and subdivision strategies and priorities, to include identification of new business opportunities and engagement.

•Foster innovation and guide development of initiatives to better manage, integrate, and share acquisition data.

•Led and guide support to Independent Program Assessments (IPA)s, Independent Technical Review Assessments (ITRA)s, and Standing Review Boards (SRB)s as requested by government customers.

•Establish high-performing teams to support multiple customers across the Department of War, Intelligence Community, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Nuclear Security Agency (NNSA), and others.

•Contribute to hiring and development of skills needed for the department.

•Actively engage with the professional community by leading and organizing events such as conference, seminars, and industry forums.

•Host educational workshops, brown-bag lunch sessions, and training programs to promote knowledge sharing.

•Act as senior mentor, providing technical advice/guidance to junior staff and customers.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

•Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.

•At least 12 years of relevant experience applied to space-related acquisition and systems engineering.

•Previous experience leading highly technical project teams.

•Proficiency in developing or assessing space system acquisition strategies, developing or assessing request for proposal documents, analyzing or assessing proposals, developing or assessing systems engineering processes, guidance, and execution, and/or developing and managing requirements for space systems.

•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 DoD TS and/or SSBI/SCI clearance. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

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

•Advanced degree from an accredited program in Engineering or STEM related field.

•15 or more years of relevant experience applied to space-related acquisition and systems engineering.

•Knowledge of Department of War (DoW) and non-DoD government (e.g., DOE, NRO, NASA) acquisition and systems engineering policies and practices, space systems, and advanced space technologies.

•Recognition as a subject matter expert through publications, presentations, or contributions to the professional community.

•Experience leading large systems engineering and acquisition activities, including Systems Engineering Technical Reviews (SETR)s, procurement planning, source selection, and independent assessments.

•Prior leadership or management experience, particularly in source selections and evaluation processes.

•Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across all organizational levels.

•Experience working in a program office setting, managing matrix support, and developing statements of work.

•Knowledge of government (e.g., DoD, NRO, NASA) acquisition, systems engineering standards, policies and practices, space systems, and advanced space technologies.

•Familiarity with systems acquisition management disciplines.

•Teaching experience in technical subjects is relevant to this role.

•Recognition as a subject matter expert through publications, presentations, or contributions to the professional 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)

$165,300.00 - $247,900.00

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

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 equal opportunity 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, 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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal .