Nuclear Nonproliferation Technical Specialist

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.
Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within NASA, NOAA, and the NNSA, while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors.
We are seeking a Nuclear Nonproliferation Technical Specialist (Senior Project Engineer - Technical Project Management). You will provide analytical expertise and support for NNSA’s technical projects/programs to include capturing program/project management best practices and providing analysis of dependencies across multiple inter-related projects. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in analyzing, developing, and implementing initiatives and strategies contributing to our core competencies: architecting, integrating, assessing, and analyzing technical activities across the nuclear nonproliferation enterprise. Leveraging a technical multi-disciplinary approach, you will assist in assessing performance and future needs to improve program performance and accountability. Your work will be instrumental in creating an environment of transparency and collaboration for our NNSA customers.
The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Crystal City, VA. At least four days per week.
What You’ll Be Doing
Support Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN) decision making by planning and executing technical studies and analyses to assess elements of nonproliferation programs
Work closely with the Aerospace Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN) team as a programmatic and technical subject matter expert to identify and assess issues, concerns, challenges, and solutions relevant to nonproliferation programs
Design methods to collect, analyze, and visualize data for customer needs. Develop processes and metrics to measure program progress and assess program improvements
Conduct analysis of data sets and deliver technical information (written and verbal) that provides information to decision makers
Support a portfolio of high-impact projects, engaging with other experts across multiple disciplines to explore innovative enterprise solutions to critical national missions
Perform project management activities while leveraging technical capabilities from across Aerospace to address DNN programmatic challenges
Conduct time-sensitive strategic analysis at the intersection of technology and policy for NNSA leaders
Collaborate with internal teams and experts at the Aerospace Corporation to shape strategic approaches to technical issues
Partner with DNN leadership to identify opportunities for expanding Aerospace’s value beyond core DNN customers, leveraging broader Aerospace’s technical capabilities to support the DNN mission
Develop and maintain familiarity with Aerospace’s enterprise-wide technical capabilities to identify potential applications and emerging opportunities relevant to nonproliferation and related national security missions
What You Need to be Successful – Senior Project Engineer Technical Project Management
Minimum Requirements include:
BS degree from an accredited program in Nuclear Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field
12 or more years of experience in technical areas related to nuclear nonproliferation such as radiochemistry, nuclear chemistry, nuclear engineering, or a related field
8 or more years of increasingly responsible and experience in project and/or program management
Demonstrated competency in interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
Experience working with U.S. government agencies such as DOE, NNSA, or DoD
Demonstrated ability to understand scientific work across a broad and varied technical spectrum
This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain such a security clearance.
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
Advanced degree in Nuclear Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field or a related field
Federal government experience in leading and managing nuclear nonproliferation programs
Interagency experience in issues related to nuclear nonproliferation
Recent experience working at NNSA in DNN
Familiarity with foreign nuclear fuel cycle processes and/or nuclear weapon systems
Demonstrated ability to self-manage efforts and solve problems
Evidence of success working in a team environment with federal governmental organizations
Active Top Secret/SCI or DOE Q security clearance
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, na