Intermediate Systems Engineer / Acquisition Manager

Stellar Solutions, a nationally recognized Great Place to Work, is seeking an Intermediate Systems Engineer / Acquisition Manager to support NASA’s Commercial Transportation System (CTS) program. This role provides acquisition strategy, systems engineering, and programmatic integration support to enable mission success within a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

As part of Stellar’s NASA Data Analysis and Technical Support Services team, the selected candidate will work closely with CTS Program leadership within NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, supporting acquisition formulation, technical integration, and execution across multiple projects.

Key Impact Areas

• Develop and execute acquisition strategies supporting CTS mission objectives
• Provide technical and programmatic integration across government and industry partners
• Support compliant, data-driven acquisition and source selection activities

Responsibilities

Acquisition Planning & Strategy

• Develop, maintain, and update acquisition strategies, procurement documentation, briefings, and milestone schedules
• Ensure compliance with FAR, NFS, and applicable NASA acquisition policies and procedures

Market Research & Alternatives Analysis

• Conduct market research to identify and evaluate acquisition approaches, including contracts, Space Act Agreements, and BAAs
• Assess commercial capabilities and partnership opportunities to reduce technical, cost, and schedule risk

Requirements Development & Risk Assessment

• Collaborate with technical and program stakeholders to define requirements and identify capability gaps
• Perform cost, schedule, and performance risk assessments and recommend mitigation strategies

Source Selection Support

• Develop evaluation criteria and support proposal evaluation activities
• Assist with proposal scoring, ranking, and funding alignment recommendations

Programmatic & Integration Support

• Provide program planning, contract performance analysis, and cross-project integration support
• Develop and maintain acquisition performance metrics, dashboards, and reporting products

Stakeholder Engagement

• Coordinate with internal teams, industry partners, and government stakeholders to support acquisition alignment with mission objectives
• Prepare and deliver briefings and materials for senior leadership and decision boards

Compliance & Data Protection

• Support Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) compliance and safeguard proprietary and sensitive data throughout acquisition activities

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline
• Minimum 10 years of experience in space systems engineering and integration, including acquisition of space systems
• Experience across space systems R&D, program/project management, financial management, acquisition support, and technology risk reduction
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence across multidisciplinary teams
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, and Teams
• Ability to travel as required

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering or a related field
• Working knowledge of NASA acquisition principles, including NFS and NASA Policy Directive 1000.5C
• Familiarity with NASA systems engineering and mission development processes
• Professional certification in systems engineering, program management, or contracting
• Experience supporting industry engagement and partnership development

Deliverables may include acquisition strategy briefings, market research products, risk assessment reports, source selection evaluation summaries, and other documentation as directed by the Government, using approved systems and processes.