Nuclear Nonproliferation Technical Specialist

Crystal City, VA; Albuquerque, NM
Full-time
$131,400.00 - $197,000.00
Posted Nov 9, 2026

Skills

Communication
Leadership
Project Management
Six Sigma
Systems Engineering
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.

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.

We are seeking a Nuclear Nonproliferation Technical Specialist (Project Engineer - Technical Project Management) to support NNSA's Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN). In this role, you will assess the technical competencies and workforce capabilities DNN needs to execute its research and development mission, identify gaps against mission requirements, and help evaluate corrective actions. You will analyze how individual projects and programs interconnect so that DNN leadership can prioritize resources and address shortfalls before they affect mission execution. Your work will directly support policymakers and help build an environment of transparency and accountability for our NNSA customers.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Crystal City, VA or Albuquerque, NM.

What You'll Be Doing

•Supporting DNN decision-making by planning and executing studies and analyses that assess competencies related to nuclear weaponization, identify associated capability gaps, and evaluate activities to address shortfalls

•Advancing DNN R&D mission areas by analyzing and reporting stakeholder risks associated with capability gaps

•Developing, conducting, and analyzing capability inventories across the Department of Energy to characterize the health of the nuclear nonproliferation workforce

•Developing processes and metrics to track program progress and evaluate the effectiveness of actions taken to close capability gaps

What You Need to be Successful- Project Engineer - Technical Project Management

Minimum Requirements:

•BS degree from an accredited program in Nuclear Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or a related field

•5-8 years of experience in project and/or program management/ engineering and/or scientific experience

•Demonstrated knowledge of the nuclear fuel cycle

•Experience working with U.S. government agencies such as DOE/NNSA/DNN

•Availability to travel domestically, up to 15%

•Superior interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills

•This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government. 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 in Nuclear Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or a related field

•8 years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience

•Familiarity with foreign nuclear fuel cycle processes and/or nuclear weapon systems

•PMP certification or equivalent project/program management credential

•Experience developing or applying software tools to automate data collection and analysis

•Experience with process improvement methods such as Lean Six Sigma

•Evidence of success working in a team environment with federal government organizations

•Currently hold, or are qualified for, an active Q or TS 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)

$131,400.00 - $197,000.00

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 .