Associate Systems Director - Contracting Officer Representative

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.
At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration - to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.
This position will support the Gateway Program at Johnson Space Center as a Contracting Officer Representative support team member and will also help lead and engage other programs within the Human Exploration and Spaceflight portfolio.
This position is at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, TX.
What You'll Be Doing

• Serves as an acquisition expert across multiple programs, making recommendations on acquisition strategy/approach and developing the products to support acquisition initiatives.
• Supply Chain and Business plan analysis of providers/suppliers
• Requirement development for procurement initiatives
• Serve as a technical point of contact between the contract and the NASA Contracting Officer
• Responsible for monitoring contractor performance and delivery of the products and/or services under Space Station Contracts.
• Monitors contract performance and reports all related technical and management problems to the Contracting Officer.
• Establishes and maintains an audit, surveillance, and insight plan that will ensure receipt of the quantity and kinds of services required of the contract. Performs audits, surveillance, and insight in accordance with the plan. Assures technical proficiency and compliance with the technical and engineering provisions of the contract by review and verification of the performance of the work.
• Performs inspections of completed work and services and makes recommendation on acceptance or non-acceptance of work.
• Resolves technical problems in conjunction with NASA and contractor managers, as required to fully facilitate contractor performance.
• Assists NASA to ensure that the contractor complies with the defined Statement of Work or specifications included in the contract.
• Reviews and evaluates the contractor's progress in relation to expenditures and identifies any disparities indicating excessive or deficient funding.
• Recommends to the NASA Contracting Officer, any changes desired in scope or technical/engineering provisions of the contract, with justification.
• Facilitates contractor performance evaluations
• Performs technical/engineering evaluation of all contractor proposals and recommends disposition to NASA Contracting Officer.
• Help manage teams supporting other programs at the Johnson Space Center and serve as interface to the customer or Program Office

What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements:

• A bachelor's degree or advanced degree from an accredited program in a technical discipline
• 12+ years' experience working across government programs, both developmental and operational
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Exceptional interpersonal skills
• Independent and self-motivated; proactive ability to learn on the job and serve as the primary interface to the customer
• Ability to work within a team environment, where the team is distributed across multiple NASA Organizations, Projects and Programs
• Ability to identify and communicate concerns to leadership in a diplomatic manner
• This position may require the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• 10+ years' experience within NASA or other US government agency
• Deep knowledge of NASA programs and processes
• Strong understanding of government procurement processes and inherently governmental functions

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 diverse 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/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. 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 [email protected]. You can also review The Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law and the supplement, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.