Falcon Research, Inc. is seeking a highly qualified and motivated Acquisition Program Analyst to support the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration (SAF/SQ) in Arlington, VA. SAF/SQ has overall responsibility for Department of the Air Force (DAF) space systems acquisition and architectures oversight as well as integration of allied, civil, and commercial space capabilities into United States Space Force (USSF) architectures. These responsibilities are carried out in close collaboration with the Chief of Space Operations (CSO) and the USSF staff. SAF/SQ also serves as the Space Service Acquisition Executive (SAE) and oversees and directs the activities of the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SpRCO), Space Systems Command (SSC), and the Space Development Agency (SDA). SAF/SQ’s guiding objectives are to (1) drive speed into space acquisitions, (2) make our space architecture more resilient, (3) integrate our space architecture with other war fighting domains, (4) drive program management discipline across our acquisitions, and (5) ensure that space and ground acquisitions are time phased to optimize operational availability. Achieving these objectives requires a workforce with broadly diverse and deep skills in system engineering, program management, architecture analysis, program planning and budgeting, and executive level communications and support. The Acquisition Program Analyst supports the SAF/SQ organization by tracking and reporting space portfolio programs’ budgets and financial execution and the myriad tasks associated with this responsibility. The Acquisition Program Analyst establishes and maintains effective working relationships with customers and other stakeholders of the organization both internally and externally. The selected candidate should thrive in a work environment with high expectations and be able to manage diverse assignments with attention to detail. RESPONSIBILITIES
* Supporting Headquarters Air Force (HAF) budget preparation and defense, SAE oversight and decision-making activities, PEO program execution and oversight efforts of space systems.
* Maintaining and analyzing planning, scheduling, and management data.
* Studying, analyzing, and providing recommendations on requirements, space acquisition strategies, program documentation, program phase transition plans, supplemental information, and program execution.
* Providing honest broker assessments of space programs approaching milestone decisions and of prime contractor technical and operational issues.
* Researching and analyzing program trends, identifying issues, and recommending solutions.
* Making recommendations on the allocation of funding, establishment of program goals, objectives, and schedules, and the formulation of program direction.
* Tracking for compliance with stated program direction and identify issues.
* Identifying and researching programmatic issues and tradeoffs in terms of required capabilities, costs, and schedules.
* Reviewing and providing recommendations on existing and proposed Air Force space acquisition and capability area policies and implementation.
* Reviewing and evaluating the impact of national, DOD, JCS, and civil government policies and activities that affect Air Force acquisition programs and capability areas.
* Maintaining historical Air Force space program documentation and developing summary documents/briefings and training material.
* Providing short notice, quick-reaction analyses of critical programmatic issues in the context of Congressional, OSD Staff, Joint Staff, HQ USAF, Major Air Command (MAJCOM), coalition, and international activities.
* Preparing PPBE documentation to ensure they accurately articulate the current program requirements using IDECS database.
* Monitoring and reporting Program Obligations and Expenditures using CRIS database.
* Monitoring and reporting program spend plans and status using Executive CCARS database.
* Monitoring and reporting Available and Planned Program Funding using ABIDES database.
* Supporting the HAF review process - Air Force Requirements Oversight Council (AFROCs), Joint Warfighting Capabilities Assessment (JWCAs), Defense Acquisition Boards (DABs), Congressional cycle, Acquisition Strategy Panels (ASPs), Air Force Review Board (AFRBs), Configuration Steering Board (CSB), Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports, etc.
* Performing the Secretariat function for ASPs, AFRBs, and CSBs.
* Reviewing and documenting Mandatory Declassification Review (MDR) and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
* Reviewing capability area analysis and comparing current and programmed capabilities/scenarios to determine and clarify Air Force space system acquisition requirements.
* Monitoring on-going studies, analyses, and developmental work relevant to space systems.
* Supporting program-specific efforts like Concept of Operations (CONOPS) development, Capability Development Documents (CDD), Capability Production Documents (CPD), Information Exchange Requirements (IER), and requirements working groups.
* Any other tasks closely associated with the performance of duties listed above and as coordinated with the customer.
Experience and Skills
* Must have an active TS security clearance with SCI eligibility.
* Bachelor’s Degree and at least 20 years of relevant work experience.
* Experience working on the HQ DAF staff
* Excellent organizational skills; ability to plan, track, and maintain due dates for multiple tasks and products central to the organization’s business processes.
* Familiarity with task management (i.e., task assignment, tracking, and status reporting) applications such as Task Management Tool (TMT) or Correspondence and Task Management System (CATMS).
* Exemplary writing and editing skills.
* Strong attention to detail.
* Ability to adapt to rapidly changing work environments while maintaining flexibility and versatility.
* Experience working successfully with senior executives at multiple organizational levels.
* Demonstrated proficiency with using Microsoft Office and other standard computer applications, familiarity with IDECS, ABIDES, Executive CCaRs, and CRIS is preferred.
* Experience fostering stable and productive working relationships that communicate expectations and promote cooperation.
* Experience communicating effectively and concisely using a variety of styles and techniques appropriate to the audience.
* Ability to work collaboratively with personnel at all levels of the customer organization to deliver results; strong networking, interpersonal, and customer service skills are key.