Artificial Intelligence; AI and Cloud Computing Capabilities Advisor to Department

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.

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.

• 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…