Senior Research & Engineering Space Technology Advisor

The Aerospace Corporation

Senior Research & Engineering Space Technology Advisor for The Aerospace Corporation, providing technical support on space technology and policy matters.

Posted 6/17/2026full-timeCrystal City • Virginia • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $155,900 - $233,900 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Project Engineer for Commercial Space Engagements: Serves as the primary DoD interface for commercial space partnerships, technology assessments, and strategic integration initiatives.
Develops frameworks for evaluating and integrating commercial space capabilities into national security architectures.
Leads technical analysis for official correspondence between military services, combat support agencies, the intelligence community, Congress, and the White House on space technology matters, including technology maturation assessments, transition strategies, and capability gap analysis.
Coordinates congressional response actions regarding space technology maturation, transfer, and transition, including preparation of technical briefings, position papers, and testimony support materials.
Develops technical strategies and roadmaps for priority space technology areas including Multi-Orbit Constellations, Beyond GPS/Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) systems, AI/ML for space systems, and emerging commercial space partnerships.
Coordinates with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review processes and supports technology security assessments for space-related transactions and partnerships.
Conducts comprehensive technical assessments of space systems, architectures, and technology maturation efforts across the DoD space portfolio.
Performs data-driven analysis of system performance metrics, technical risk, and technology readiness levels to inform senior leader decision-making.
Develops architecture decision records (ADRs), technical strategy documents, and analytical reports on space technology trends, capability gaps, and investment priorities.
Provides expert technical translation between engineering teams and senior policy/operational leaders.
Supports technology transfer and transition analysis, identifying pathways from research through operational deployment.
Coordinating with internal/external stakeholders to complete studies, and communicate results.
Conferring with engineers and analysts to provide technical advice and to assist with problem resolution as needed as part of study reach back.
Providing subject matter expertise analysis of multi-orbit constellations, beyond GPS, novel PNT, OPIR, commercial augmentation, autonomy, artificial intelligence/machine learning, and how novel technology injects would impact these architectures.
Provide assessments on a variety of interests from policy to capability, operational considerations to "POM after next" examinations of technology.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in STEM or space-related equivalent is required
12 or more years of progressive experience in space systems, aerospace engineering, or related technical fields
10 or more years of progressively demonstrated engineering and policy experience, including multi-disciplinary system engineering in a program oversight environment
Analytic skills to support quantified study assessments
Knowledge of space system portfolios and a broad understanding of space technologies and systems, with at least one area of technology specialization
Experience with creating, supporting and/or leading technical study teams examining topics of national significance
Proven and continued ability to work effectively and professionally with senior government customers (GO/FO and SES) from organizations across the federal government
Excellent written communication skills – ability to organize complex materials and concepts in clear logical manner at the executive leadership level
Willing to travel approx. 10% (as required)
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.
Active Top S/SCI security clearance required, with ability to obtain SAP access.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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

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Hard Skills & Tools

space systemsaerospace engineeringmulti-disciplinary system engineeringtechnology maturation assessmentsdata-driven analysistechnical risk assessmenttechnology readiness levelsarchitecture decision recordsanalytical reportsAI/ML for space systems

Soft Skills

analytical skillswritten communicationproblem resolutionstakeholder coordinationtechnical translationorganizational skillsleadershipprofessionalismteam collaborationexecutive communication

Certifications

Bachelor's degree in STEMTop S/SCI security clearanceability to obtain SAP access