Space Missions Economist

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 technicalexpertisewith 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.

The Civil Systems NASA Programs Division (NPD) Space Missions Directorate (SMD) oversees the success of multi-agency operational satellite programs for which NASA leads mission system development and integration. The directorate supports a broad portfolio of missions, including Landsat, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Observations, Space Weather Observations (SWO), and Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) Observations, that rely on seamlessly integrated systems. These systems combine spacecraft buses, instrument suites, ground stations, and command, control, and data processing networks, all managed by a global team of engineers and operations staff. Success in these complex programs depends on a disciplined, systems-engineering approach that carefully coordinates development, procurement, systems integration, operational readiness, and the transition to full operation.

Complementing this technical mission, the team supports the delivery ofcutting-edgeeconomic analyses thatvalidatethese programs' value to the American taxpayer. For these missions to obtain funding, they rely on studies thatdemonstratefiscal and societal benefits. By employing robust quantitative methods and comprehensive cost-benefit analyses, the team evaluates the impacts of satellite systems and supports strategic funding decisions.We are looking for aSpace MissionsEconomist (Project Engineer-Economic & Market Analysis).In this role, you will conduct critical economic studies using data-driven models essential for shaping next-generation satellite systems and infrastructure investments.

The selected candidate willbe requiredto work full-time, on-site at our facility inGreenbelt, MD.

WhatYou'llBe Doing

• Lead economic appraisals fora variety of space missionsby integrating quantitative models with technical and stakeholder data.
• Conduct and co-author comprehensive cost-benefit economic assessments.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary team, including engineers, scientists, and policy experts, to translate technical satellite performance data into measurable economic outcomes.
• Develop, implement, and refine data-driven forecasting models and valuation frameworks consistent with federal guidelines (e.g., OMB methodologies).
• Prepare detailed written and visual reports and deliver presentations to senior leadership and multi-agency teams in support of federal investment decisions.
• Ensure that all economic analyses align with both programmaticobjectivesand best economic practices.

What You Needto be Successful -Project Engineer- Economic & Market Analysis

MinimumRequirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Economics(preferred from an accredited institution) with a minor or complementary coursework in Mathematics, Statistics, or related fields.
• A minimum of6years of progressively responsible professional experience in economic assessment, with provenexpertisein cost-benefit and economic impact analyses related to satellite programs.
• Direct experienceinearth-observing satelliteCost-Benefit Economic Assessment.
• Demonstrated ability to co-author multi-agency reports andadvisesenior-level officials using data-driven insights.
• Proficiencywith data analysis tools (e.g., R, STATA, Python) and visualization platforms (e.g., Tableau,PowerBI, Microsoft Excel).
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with an ability to translate complex technical data into actionable economic recommendations.
• Willingness to occasionally travel and to work off-business hours to support customer needs, approximately 10% (asrequired)
• This positionmayrequiretheability to obtain andmaintaina security clearance, which is issued by the U.S.government. U.S.citizenship isrequiredto obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Master's degree in Economicsor a related quantitative discipline, with a concentration in Statistical Analysis and Econometric Methods.
• Experience working within federal agencies or on government-contracted economic projects, preferably related to satellite or space systems investment.
• Direct experience inNOAAweather satellite Cost-Benefit Economic Assessment.
• Prior involvement in inter-agency collaborations that integrate technical performance data with economic policy recommendations.
• Certification in Blockchain, Cloud, or Big Data or experience with large-scale statistical databases and SQL Server is a plus.