Senior Systems Engineer / Acquisition Manager

Stellar Solutions is a nationally recognized Great Place to Work and a leading systems engineering services firm delivering high-impact solutions to government, commercial, and nonprofit space partners. We specialize in complex, mission-critical programs that span space, ground, and enterprise systems - bringing technical rigor, systems thinking, and operational insight to every phase of the mission lifecycle.

Stellar Solutions seeks a senior-level Systems Engineer / Acquisition Manager to support NASA's NASA's Network EXtension for User Continuity and Sustainability (NEXUS) project. This role focuses on developing and executing acquisition strategies, managing program formulation, and ensuring contract compliance to enable mission success in a dynamic environment.

Key impact areas include:

Driving acquisition planning and strategy development for NEXUS.
• Providing technical and programmatic integration support.
• Facilitating stakeholder engagement across NASA, industry, and government partners.

As part of Stellar's NASA Data Analysis and Technical Support Services team, you will work closely with NEXUS Project leadership within NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate. Responsibilities include acquisition strategy management, systems engineering, and technical program oversight. Occasional travel to NASA centers and supplier locations (up to one week per month) may be required.

• Develop and maintain acquisition strategy documents, procurement briefings, and milestone schedules.
• Ensure compliance with FAR, NFS, and NASA acquisition policies.

• Conduct market research to identify viable acquisition approaches (e.g., contracts, Space Act Agreements, BAAs).
• Assess commercial capabilities and partnership opportunities to mitigate technical and programmatic risks.

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

• Develop evaluation criteria and assist in proposal reviews.
• Support ranking and scoring of proposals based on technical merit and funding availability.

• Provide program planning, contract performance analysis, and integration support across multiple projects.
• Develop operational metrics and dashboards for acquisition performance tracking.

• Coordinate with internal teams, industry partners, and government agencies to align acquisition strategies with mission objectives.
• Prepare and deliver briefings to senior leadership and decision boards.

• Ensure adherence to organizational conflict of interest (OCI) plans and protect proprietary data during acquisition activities.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
• Minimum 12-15 years of space systems engineering and integration experience, including acquisition of space systems.
• Broad experience in space systems R&D, project/program management, financial management, acquisition and procurement support, and technology risk reduction.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to influence across diverse teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, and Teams.
• Ability to travel as required.

• Master's degree in engineering or related field.
• Working knowledge of NASA acquisition principles (NFS, NASA Policy Directive 1000.5C).
• Familiarity with NASA systems engineering and mission development processes.
• Professional certification in program management, contracting, or systems engineering.
• Experience in 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.