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 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 Material 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.

 

Aerospace’s Joint and Multi-Domain Subdivision supports a broad sponsor landscape, extending Aerospace’s space-based technical expertise to operational end users. With projects ranging from state of the art research and concept development, to prototyping, cutting-edge laboratory environments, fully integrated operational capabilities, and robust analytics and decision support tools, Aerospace’s support to the military Services, Combatant Commands, and other government agencies helps to enable strategic decisions, explore new operational concepts, and drive toward integrated, multi-domain capabilities.

 

As a Senior Technical Advisor supporting the USAF Offensive Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (OsUAS) Program Office, you will play a critical role in the development, test, procurement, and fielding of Group 1-3 sUAS capabilities capable of performing in both permissive and contested environments.  In this position you will function as a trusted technical advisor—shaping engineering decisions, informing acquisition strategy, and ensuring technical rigor across the portfolio.

 

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Dayton, OH.

What You'll Be Doing

 

• Serve as a Senior Technical Advisor to the OsUAS portfolio, providing independent assessment and guidance across the development, test, and procurement of a wide range of small UAS systems. 
• Provide expert technical judgment to inform program-level decisions, including system design trades, acquisition strategy considerations, risk assessments, and technical readiness evaluations.
• Foster collaborative working relationships across government, SETA, contractor, and FFRDC partners to deliver high‑quality technical assessments, engineering analyses, and decision-support products that advance OsUAS capabilities and meet warfighter needs.
• Engage Aerospace experts specializing in technical areas such as: autonomy, orchestration, EO/IR sensors, EW, communications, PNT, mesh networking, LIDAR, and kinetic/non‑kinetic effects to address diverse technical challenges across multi‑use UAS platforms.
• Provide direct technical contributions in one or more mission areas related to small UAS operations, including payload integration, autonomy, sensing, navigation, survivability, or counter-UAS threat environments.
• Identify technical risks, gaps, and opportunities across the portfolio and proactively advise government leadership on mitigation approaches, best practices, and lessons learned from across the broader UAS enterprise.

What You Need to Be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Sr. Project Engineer – Systems Engineering - Acquisition and Systems Engineering:

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline or closely related technical field.
• 12 or more years of progressive technical and leadership experience, including multi‑disciplinary systems engineering within a defense acquisition or program oversight environment.
• Experience conducting technical analyses and engineering trades related to UAS system or subsystem capabilities
• Proven success working effectively with government program offices, senior leaders, and cross‑organizational technical teams.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with contractors, SETA organizations, government labs, and internal Aerospace groups to deliver high‑quality technical and programmatic support.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Active Top Secret/SCI security clearance. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Current access and/or ability to maintain SAP/SAR program access
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time or as needed to meet mission needs.

 

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced technical degree in a STEM discipline or closely related technical field
• Prior experience supporting USAF UAS programs, AFLCMC, or other rapid acquisition development organizations.
• In-depth knowledge of autonomy, distributed orchestration, and digital engineering tools used in UAS development and integration.
• Demonstrated experience with advanced sensing modalities (EO/IR, LIDAR), electronic warfare, assured PNT, or mesh networking technologies relevant to small UAS operations.
• Experience employing AI/ML for autonomy, sensor fusion, target detection, or human‑machine teaming in UAS systems.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity authorization processes and policies
• Experience navigating Airworthiness processes, including familiarity with military or civil airworthiness standards, certification pathways, and risk‑based compliance approaches
• Background preparing or supporting Safety Review Boards, especially as applicable for systems employing munitions
• Hands-on experience in flight test, rapid prototyping, payload integration, or developmental/operational test environments for UAS platforms.
• Strong understanding of counter‑UAS threat environments, red‑force TTPs, and survivability considerations for offensive UAS missions.
  

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)

$151,300.00 - $226,900.00

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.