Senior Technology and Policy Lead

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 National Systems Group serves as the technical advisor to the Intelligence Community (IC) and its mission partners involved in the collection and distribution of national and tactical intelligence, including electronics programs, advanced technologies, ground and communications, imagery programs, and systems engineering and launch.

The National Intelligence Division within NSG supports the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), including the National Intelligence Council for Space (NIC-Space). NIC-Space, led by the Senior Director/National Intelligence Officer (SD/NIO) oversees and integrates all aspects of the Intelligence Community's (IC) mission management and analytic efforts for Space. NIC-Space develops a Unifying Intelligence Strategy (UIS) to communicate and synchronize the Space Intelligence Community and manages the Space Threat Assessment Cell (STAC), a community resource applying foundational intelligence, technical expertise, and collaborative partnerships to frame the future space environment.

Aerospace is seeking a highly motivated Senior Technology and Policy Lead (Senior Project Leader – Enterprise Systems Engineering) to serve as a senior technical leader and trusted advisor embedded with ODNI/NIC-Space. Partnering directly with the Systems Director for Mission Integration, this individual will help set and drive the technical priorities of the Aerospace team, shape the direction of customer initiatives, and lead high-visibility efforts on behalf of senior government stakeholders. This position requires a strategic thinker who can translate senior customer intent into executable technical work across a multidisciplinary team, develop the people around them, and represent Aerospace credibly to both government leadership and Aerospace executives.

This is a full-time position based in the Tysons Corner, VA area, which requires 100% onsite work with the possibility of some assignments at the Aerospace Chantilly Campus.

What You'll Be Doing

- Serve as a principal Aerospace technical leader and advisor to senior leaders in NIC-Space and across ODNI on issues related to space program analysis, capabilities, requirements, threats, policy, and integration into the IC space architecture
- Partner with the Systems Director for Mission Integration to establish team priorities, shape the forward work plan, and allocate technical talent against emerging customer needs, while proactively proposing new areas of study and engagement that expand Aerospace's impact
- Lead customer-sponsored initiatives end to end on behalf of government stakeholders — framing the problem, defining the approach, assembling the right expertise, and driving the effort to a decision-quality result
- Formulate and lead multiple simultaneous, multidisciplinary teams of Aerospace subject matter experts from the Engineering & Technology Group and Aerospace program offices, integrating their work into coherent products for senior customers
- Build and maintain senior-level relationships across the IC and national security space organizations, working groups, and interagency forums, facilitating the exchange of information and analysis to address future space intelligence needs
- Provide technical direction and mentorship to Senior Project Engineers and other Aerospace personnel on the team, as well as more junior government personnel working alongside us, building leadership capability, strategic understanding, and depth of mission knowledge
- Maintain comprehensive awareness of current and developing threats to the U.S. national security space architecture, emerging capabilities, and commercial systems, and contribute subject matter expertise in areas such as counterspace threats, space system design, multi-domain threats to space systems, foreign perceptions analysis, or space/ground systems and architecture assessments
- Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Senior Project Leader – Enterprise Systems Engineering:

- Bachelor's or higher degree in applicable STEM areas (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) or other relevant disciplines
- 10 or more years of progressively responsible experience in engineering, analysis, technical, or strategic planning roles
- Demonstrated experience leading technical, multidisciplinary, or interagency teams and delivering results through others, including mentoring and developing technical staff
- Demonstrated experience setting priorities and shaping work in a senior customer environment, including translating leadership intent into executable technical efforts
- Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of contractors, senior government customers, Aerospace program offices, and engineering staff
- Demonstrated strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate problems, recognize patterns, and make meaning out of overarching trends
- Proven ability to quickly analyze technical material and provide clear, concise, and timely assessments in support of decision making and strategic planning
- Demonstrated effective skills in communication, organization, time management, and resource tracking, and the agility to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced customer environment with a high degree of uncertainty
- This position requires a current and active TS/SCI security clearance with polygraph, 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:

- An advanced degree in applicable STEM areas or other relevant disciplines
- Six or more years of experience within NRO, IC, Space Force, or other DoW areas in space operations, space threats, counterspace intelligence analysis and reporting, or space system acquisitions
- Demonstrated experience working within IC organizations, including understanding of IC missions and operations, organizational structures, and interagency coordination processes
- Demonstrated experience in strategy or policy development within the IC, DoW, or space industry
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships with other intelligence community elements, national security space organizations, working groups, or senior leaders
- Deep technical knowledge of current or future space system architectures, counterspace threats, multi-domain threats to space systems, foreign perceptions analysis, advanced sensors, end-to-end systems, cyber, or communications systems
- Experience in one or more engineering and science disciplines, such as research and development, space and ground systems acquisition, systems engineering, or systems integration

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)
$155,900.00 - $233,900.00

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies