Senior Acquisition Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation

. Provide systems engineering and acquisition support to Department of War, Intelligence Community, NASA, Department of Energy and other government customers .

Posted 11/12/2026part-timeUnited StatesSenior💰 $0 - $480 per hourWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates extensive expertise in systems engineering and acquisition support for government entities, with a strong focus on space-related projects. Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, develop innovative acquisition strategies, and conduct independent assessments while effectively communicating with diverse stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Systems EngineeringAcquisition SupportMultidisciplinary Team LeadershipProcurement PlanningSpace Systems Expertise

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Systems Engineering Technical ReviewsAcquisition DevelopmentProcurement (FAR and Non-FAR)Acquisition Strategies DevelopmentTechnical Risk AssessmentMarket ResearchIndependent AssessmentsSpace Architecture DesignLifecycle Acquisition SupportTechnical Reviews

Soft Skills

Excellent Written CommunicationVerbal Communication SkillsOutstanding Interpersonal SkillsFlexibilityAdaptability

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in EngineeringBachelor’s Degree in Computer ScienceAdvanced Degree in Engineering or STEM

Industry Keywords

Department of WarIntelligence CommunityNASADepartment of EnergySpace SystemsAdvanced Space TechnologiesGovernment Acquisition PoliciesSystems Development ApproachesSource Selection TeamsTechnical Risk Management

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide systems engineering and acquisition support to Department of War, Intelligence Community, NASA, Department of Energy and other government customers
Collaborate with government program offices, vendors, and stakeholders to provide responsive advice on diverse and innovative acquisition strategies
Provide guidance on innovative acquisition, procurement, and systems development approaches for new space architectures
Deliver assessments that provide essential insights
Mentor staff in support of lifecycle acquisition and systems engineering
Participate in multidisciplinary teams developing and/or evaluating ground and space system requirements, design, and architecture concepts
Perform independent assessments for acquisition milestone events, including identifying and assessing technical risks and developing pre-acquisition design concepts
Support and guide procurement planning activities such as market research, industry days, and source selection teams

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field
At least 12 years of relevant experience applied to space-related acquisition and systems engineering
Experience leading/advising multidisciplinary technical teams and programs
Demonstrated experience in supporting acquisition development, systems engineering technical reviews, milestone program reviews and procurement (FAR and non-FAR)
Experience in developing or assessing acquisition strategies and analyses affecting acquisition-related decisions
Excellent written and verbal communications skills
Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to effectively work with all levels of customers, coworkers and contractors
Ability to be flexible, adaptable and able to manage multiple simultaneous tasks, including occasional business travel
Advanced degree from an accredited program in Engineering or STEM related field (stand-out qualification)
15 or more years of relevant experience applied to space-related acquisition and systems engineering (stand-out qualification)
Knowledge of Department of War (DoW) and non-DoD government (e.g., DOE, NRO, NASA) acquisition and systems engineering policies and practices, space systems, and advanced space technologies (stand-out qualification)
Recognition as a subject matter expert through publications, presentations, or contributions to the professional community (stand-out qualification)
Experience leading large systems engineering and acquisition activities, including Systems Engineering Technical Reviews (SETR)s, procurement planning, source selection, and independent assessments (stand-out qualification)

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