Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cloud Computing Capabilities Advisor to the Department of the Air Force (DAF)

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.

Job Summary

Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers' portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

The Pentagon-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cloud Computing Capabilities Advisor to the Department of the Air Force (DAF)- (Project Engineer/ Senior Project Engineer - Systems Engineering - Acquisition and Systems Engineering) will support The Aerospace Corporation's role as a trusted agent and objective technical advisor to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration (SAF/SQ). This position provides independent technical analysis and systems engineering insight to inform space acquisition, integration, and enterprise decision-making involving AI-enabled and cloud-based solutions.

You will provide on-site technical support to DAF AI initiatives and will serve in a multi-role capacity across SAF/SQ and HQ Space Force/S6 equities and interests. The role emphasizes space systems-of-systems engineering, architecture integration, and technical risk reduction across the space enterprise rather than program execution or system development.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site, nominally based at The Pentagon and our Crystal City, VA Aerospace location.

What You'll Be Doing

• Provide objective, non-advocacy technical advice to the DAF on the application of AI and cloud-computing solutions across space systems, architectures, and acquisition portfolios.
• Assess technology readiness, implementation risk, and integration challenges for AI, machine learning, autonomy, and cyber technologies in space acquisition programs
• Support enterprise capability development and integration, including mission thread analysis and cross-program integration studies and activities
• Advise on acquisition and integration strategies
• Develop technical roadmaps, trade studies, and decision-quality products to support senior SAF/SQ, Space Force, and OSW stakeholders
• Coordinate with Aerospace technical experts, SSC, AFRL, USSF, and other FFRDC partners to ensure coherent, end-to-end technical insight
• Prepare and deliver clear, concise briefings and written assessments translating complex technical analysis into actionable recommendations
• Deliver results on time-sensitive staff inquiries and provide technical support in the development of position papers and official responses to Congress, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and the Intelligence Community (IC)
• The selected candidate must work effectively in an onsite environment with the customer and work with senior Government leaders, contractors, other government agencies, the various Aerospace program offices, and the Aerospace Engineering and Technical Group (ETG) to address issues and provide the customer with the best available technical analyses and recommendations to ensure coherent, end-to-end technical insight

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cloud Computing Capabilities Advisor to the Department of the Air Force (DAF)- (Project Engineer - Systems Engineering - Acquisition and Systems Engineering):

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field or equivalent is required
• A minimum (6) years of demonstrated technical depth in one or more of the following areas is required:
  
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Cloud computing architecture
  • Space systems engineering and architectures
  • Digital engineering and model-based systems engineering (MBSE)
• Understanding of space acquisition, integration, and lifecycle processes within the Department of the Air Force or U.S. Space Force
• Must demonstrate strong technical writing and executive briefing capabilities
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

In addition to the above, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cloud Computing Capabilities Advisor to the Department of the Air Force (DAF)- (Senior Project Engineer - Systems Engineering - Acquisition and Systems Engineering) requires the following:

• A minimum (12) years of demonstrated technical depth in one or more of the following areas is required:
  
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Cloud computing architecture
  • Space systems engineering and architectures
  • Digital engineering and model-based systems engineering (MBSE)
• Proven ability to work effectively with senior government, military personnel, co-located FFRDC, and SETA contractors is required

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced degree in a STEM field or equivalent is strongly preferred
• Prior experience supporting SAF/SQ, Space Systems Command (SSC), SAF/AQ, USSF headquarters, or OSD space organizations is strongly desired
• Familiarity with Aerospace Corporation engineering practices, including mission assurance, architecture evaluation, and technical risk assessment
• Experience with system security engineering for space system threats, including contested and degraded space environments
• Experience with systems engineering for space system use of autonomy and AI with DoW Responsible AI
• Background in mission-level modeling, architecture trades, or enterprise integration
• Past experience working in an FFRDC or trusted advisory environment
• Strong knowledge in briefing senior Government leaders (General Officer and/or SES)
• Possess a thorough understanding of the roles played by the Office of the Secretary of Defense; the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force; the United States Space Force, U.S. Space Command; the space system program offices; the defense agencies; the Joint Staff; and other government organizations in the acquisition, management, and operation of the national security space enterprise
• A current and active TS/SCI clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government, is strongly preferred. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

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
• A 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 or by email at . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.