Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With more than 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the U.S. and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA strives to be a value-added Objective, Responsive, and Trusted partner and premier provider.

The Space and Intelligence (S&I) Division provides engineering services and analytic support to the Air Force, Space Force, Combatant Commands, the Intelligence Community, and NASA. Our work includes systems engineering and integration, test planning and execution, cost estimating and analysis, developing approaches and concepts to meet emerging, high priority National Defense needs, and assessing and developing cutting-edge computer-based solutions, advanced technologies and progressive capabilities to meet those needs.

The S&I Division comprises the Intelligence Programs Group (IPG), the Space Systems Group (SSG), and the Strategic Technology Analysis Group (STAG), which collectively provide outstanding support to help their customers achieve our nation’s most critical objectives and goals designed to protect the safety and livelihoods of all U.S. Citizens, military forces at home and abroad.

SPA has an immediate need for a number of highly qualified Senior System Acquisition Specialists to support our new U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power (SDA&CP) and Battle Management Command, Control and Communications (BMC3) Support Services contract (Hemisphere) in multiple locations including the El Segundo, CA, Colorado Springs, CO, and the National Capital Region (NCR) areas.

Travel is not anticipated but would occur less than five percent of the time on an occasional and irregular basis and be limited to domestic locations only. 

We are seeking multiple candidates to fill the following positions at the Senior and Subject Matter Expert (SME) levels:

• Senior Acquisition Leads located in the El Segundo, CA area
• Senior Acquisition Managers located in the El Segundo, CA area
• Senior Acquisition Management Specialists/DAGs located in the El Segundo, CA area
• Chief Acquisition Management Specialist/DAG SMEs located in the El Segundo, CA area
• Acquisition Management Specialist/Engine Room SMEs located in NCR area
• Senior Acquisition Management Specialist SMEs located in the Colorado Springs, CO area
• Senior Acquisition SMEs located in the El Segundo, CA area
• Senior Acquisition Specialists located in the El Segundo, CA, the Colorado Springs, CO, the LAAFB, CA, and the NCR areas
• Acquisition Specialist SMEs located in the El Segundo, CA area
• Senior Acquisition Support Specialists located in the El Segundo, CA area
• Product Support SMEs located in the El Segundo, CA area
• Senior Program Acquisition Operations Analysts located in the El Segundo, CA area
• Senior Source Selection & Acquisition Strategy Support Specialists located in the El Segundo, CA and the Colorado Springs, CO areas.

The Acquisition Support Specialist SMEs shall have:

• Deep understanding of mission critical aspects of acquisition and DoD space launch, ground and sustainment and associated projects
• Advanced ability to independently perform all functional duties, even of the lower labor categories, and require no additional functional training
• Extensive knowledge of Higher Headquarters, Air Force, Space Command, processes and procedures
• Refined ability to speak/write Air Force and Space Acquisition terminology appropriately
• Relevant areas of expertise limited to the following: Management, Business, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Engineering, or Statistics
• Advanced ability to manage all aspects of program financial management for an ACAT-like weapon system program, including fiscal year planning, continuing resolution management, unfunded requirement development and submittal, spring execution reviews, end-of-year funding actions, and program objective memorandum (POM) development, and Earned Value Management System (EVMS) analyses
• Extensive knowledgeable in the DoD Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution System (PPBES) process.
• Deep understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and the Defense FAR Supplement (DFARSUP).

The Senior Acquisition Support Specialists shall have:

• Expertise in developing and coordinating all activities and documentation required to support ACAT-like Defense Acquisition Boards
• Ability to lead a team of acquisition and systems engineering professionals to support ongoing and emerging program acquisitions
• Ability to perform in-depth research, reconcile complex data/information across multiple systems and reports, interpret information to generate multiple recommended courses of action, build staffing packages, comprehend and apply concepts/guidance, effectively implement instructions/policies into routine performance, and develop tools/applications to foster efficiency in day-to-day activities
• Knowledge in developing and coordinating all activities and documents required to support major technical reviews
• Knowledge in developing and coordinating all activities and documentation required to support a major source selection (e.g. UARC, task orders and delivery orders on multiple award IDIQs)
• Knowledge in design and development of entire space systems, including subcomponents (space and ground segments)
• Ability to provide insight and lessons learned on large acquisitions
• Expertise in acquiring highly classified ACAT-like MILSATCOM systems
• Past or present experience with SSC or mission partner space control or Space Situational Awareness (SSA) mission area programs
• Experience in space-based threats, COCOM urgent needs, and operational space requirements
• Expertise in small, agile acquisitions with insight into lessons learned from large acquisitions
• Expertise in developing and executing acquisition strategy plans, programmatic schedules (Integrated Master Schedules) and risk management plans
• Expertise working in a classified acquisition program and understand associated nuances with security, IT, manpower, etc.
• Experience with integrating system engineering quantitative design characteristics (reliability, maintainability, etc.) with the functional logistics/integrated product support elements
• Experience with integrating the 12 product support elements, procurement and budgeting strategy into logistics activities needed to sustain system fielding.

Required:

• U.S. Citizen
• Active TS/SCI clearance/access or TS/SCI Eligible [NOTE: The Senior Acquisition Management Specialists located in the El Segundo, CA area require only an active Secret clearance]
• Earned Masters degree in a system acquisition-related discipline, e.g., Systems Engineering, System Development, or Project Management
  • BS/BA degree with at least 12 years of relevant system acquisition experience may be substituted as equivalent
• At least 15 years overall of relevant system acquisition experience, at least 5 years of which must have been performed in the DoD acquisition and operational environment

Desired:

• Specific direct experience performing system acquisition tasks in the U.S. Air Force and/or the U.S. Space Force space system design, acquisition, and development environments
• Specific direct knowledge and experience with system acquisition-related activity associated with Space Domain Awareness (SDA), Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Space Control, satellite design, launch operations and space system operations
• PMP certification
• Completion of the PMT 4010 or 4020 Program Manager's Course
• Familiarity with the Task Management Tool (TMT) process
• Domain expertise in MS Office Suite applications and CCaRS
• Current CI polygraph or willingness to take one

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent.  Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.  

SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc.

Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only.  Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.  Pay Transparency Range:  160k - 230k