📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Chief Acquisition Specialist
🔹 Company: IESE Solutions
🔹 Location: El Segundo, California
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Engineering Services
🔹 Date Posted: May 30, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Providing acquisition strategies, schedules, contracting, budgeting, and execution advice to Program/Project Managers
- Preparing periodic status reports, coordinating meetings, and developing acquisition plans
- Developing and coordinating program planning and execution documents
- Assessing contractor design/milestone reviews and providing technical and programmatic assessments
- Providing program element coordination, staffing, and monitoring, and supporting delivery of program funding documentation and monthly financial reports
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in government weapon systems acquisitions and program management, with a focus on rapid prototyping and national security space or space control mission areas.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Provide advice to Program/Project Managers regarding acquisition strategies, schedules, contracting, budgeting, and execution
✅ Prepare periodic status reports, coordinate and execute periodic staff meetings and technical interchange meetings, and develop acquisition plans, schedules, and executive program briefings
✅ Develop, draft, and coordinate overarching program planning and execution documents as prescribed by/tailored from DoDI 5000.02 / Acquisition Framework, and relevant DoD, AF, and local unit policies that pertain to rapid prototyping
✅ Provide technical and programmatic assessments of contractor design/milestone reviews to assess progress, risks and issues, and the ability to achieve mission requirements
✅ Provide program element coordination, staffing and monitoring; advise and assist government customer regarding funding commitments, obligations, and expenditures as well as drafting and supporting delivery of program funding documentation and monthly financial reports
ASSUMPTION: This role involves close collaboration with contractors and government customers, requiring strong communication and interpersonal skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field
Experience: 18 years or more of related experience in government weapon systems acquisitions and program management or 4 additional years of experience may be used in lieu of degree
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in government weapon systems acquisitions and program management
- Strong knowledge of DoDI 5000.02 / Acquisition Framework and relevant DoD, AF, and local unit policies
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret clearance with in-scope SSBI/T5 background investigation
- Willingness to consent to a polygraph
Preferred Skills:
- Master Degree in Business Management, technical management, and/or engineering
- Professional certifications (e.g., PMI PMP)
- Experience in the National Security Space and/or the Space Control mission area
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with relevant experience in acquisition management, program management, or related fields are encouraged to apply, even if they do not meet the exact degree requirement.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: IESE Solutions offers a competitive salary package, with salaries determined by various factors including location, education, clearance, skills, and experience among others. The salary range for this position is estimated to be between $120,000 and $160,000 per year, based on industry standards for similar roles in the El Segundo, California area.
Benefits:
- Company 401K Contribution (no employee contribution required) up to 10% of qualifying salaries
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life and AD&D insurance
- Company paid Long-term Disability insurance
- Short-term Disability insurance
- Discretionary Performance Bonus
- Paid Time Off, including Holidays, Vacation
- Flexible Work Hours and supportive/collaborative work environment
- Continuous education sponsorship
- Career opportunities to participate in the next generation space sensing enterprise ground system integration, test and deployment and develop/enhance enduring professional skills and network.
Working Hours: Full-time position with standard business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility for occasional overtime or remote work as needed
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: IESE Solutions operates in the Engineering Services industry, focusing on integrated enterprise solutions, systems engineering, and acquisition management support for space programs and enterprises.
Company Size: IESE Solutions is a small engineering firm with 11-50 employees, providing an opportunity for candidates to help shape the firm's future and contribute to its growth.
Founded: IESE Solutions was founded in 2011, with a mission to deliver integrated enterprise solutions to customers through the help of expert consultants.
Company Description:
- IESE Solutions is a purpose-driven technology solutions consulting firm that delivers integrated enterprise solutions to its customers
- The company leverages expertise in developing and implementing solutions, collaborating with customers and industry partners to ensure data-driven decisions for best-value outcomes across space programs and enterprises
- IESE Solutions focuses on excellence and trustworthiness, providing enterprise systems engineering and acquisition management services
Company Specialties:
- Consulting
- Integrated Enterprise Solutions
- Integrated Technology Services
- Systems Engineering
- Enterprise Integration
- Program Management
- Acquisition Support
Company Website: iesesolutions.com
ASSUMPTION: IESE Solutions' small size and focus on purpose-driven technology solutions provide candidates with opportunities for growth and impact within the company.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior specialist level, requiring a high degree of expertise and experience in acquisition management and program management within the government weapon systems domain.
Reporting Structure: The Chief Acquisition Specialist will report directly to the Program Executive Office (PEO) organizations and work closely with Program/Project Managers, contractors, and government customers.
Work Arrangement: This is an on-site position, with the primary work location in El Segundo, California. However, some flexibility for remote work may be available based on project needs and management discretion.
Growth Opportunities:
- Participation in the next generation space sensing enterprise ground system integration, test, and deployment
- Development and enhancement of enduring professional skills and network
- Potential career advancement opportunities within IESE Solutions or its partner organizations
ASSUMPTION: This role offers candidates the opportunity to work on cutting-edge space programs and contribute to the development of next-generation space sensing enterprise ground systems.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: IESE Solutions' office in El Segundo, California is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to facilitate teamwork and innovation.
Office Location(s): 101 Continental Blvd, Suite 880, El Segundo, California 90245, US
Geographic Context:
- El Segundo is a city in Los Angeles County, California, with a population of approximately 16,000 people
- The city is known for its strong aerospace and technology industries, providing a vibrant and dynamic work environment for professionals in these fields
- El Segundo offers a pleasant Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and warm, dry summers
Work Schedule: Full-time position with standard business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility for occasional overtime or remote work as needed
ASSUMPTION: El Segundo's strong aerospace and technology industries, along with its pleasant climate, make it an attractive location for professionals in these fields.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission through the IESE Solutions careers portal
- Phone or video screening to assess communication skills and cultural fit
- In-depth technical interview to evaluate acquisition management and program management skills
- Final interview with the hiring manager or a panel of IESE Solutions' leadership team
Key Assessment Areas:
- Acquisition management and program management skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with IESE Solutions' values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience in acquisition management, program management, and related fields
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, communication abilities, and teamwork experience
- Research IESE Solutions and the specific program or project you would be working on to demonstrate your enthusiasm and preparation
ATS Keywords: Acquisition strategies, contracting, budgeting, program management, technical assessments, funding documentation, financial reporting, rapid prototyping, national security space, space control, program planning, risk assessment, stakeholder coordination, polygraph consent, Top Secret clearance
ASSUMPTION: IESE Solutions' interview process is designed to assess candidates' technical skills, communication abilities, and cultural fit, with a focus on finding the best fit for both the candidate and the company.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, JIRA, Asana)
- Acquisition management software (e.g., SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft)
- Program management software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Primavera P6)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the project and the client's needs.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence: IESE Solutions strives for excellence in all aspects of its work, from project delivery to customer service
- Trustworthiness: The company builds trust with its customers, partners, and employees through transparent, honest, and ethical business practices
- Purpose-driven: IESE Solutions is committed to delivering integrated enterprise solutions that make a positive impact on its customers and the broader community
Work Style:
- Collaborative: IESE Solutions fosters a collaborative work environment, encouraging teamwork and open communication
- Adaptable: The company values employees who are adaptable and able to thrive in a dynamic and changing work environment
- Customer-focused: IESE Solutions prioritizes the needs and goals of its customers, ensuring that its solutions deliver meaningful and lasting results
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a proven track record of success in acquisition management and program management within the government weapon systems domain?
- Are you comfortable working in a dynamic and changing work environment, with a focus on rapid prototyping and innovation?
- Do you thrive in a collaborative work environment, with a focus on teamwork and open communication?
ASSUMPTION: IESE Solutions' culture is characterized by a strong commitment to excellence, trustworthiness, and purpose-driven solutions, with a focus on collaboration, adaptability, and customer focus.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working on complex and high-stakes government weapon systems acquisitions and program management projects may present unique challenges and pressures
- The dynamic and changing nature of the work environment may require candidates to be adaptable and able to thrive in uncertainty
- The need to obtain and maintain Top Secret clearance, including consent to a polygraph, may present additional security and background investigation requirements
- The on-site nature of the position may require candidates to commute to the El Segundo office, with limited flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: While this role presents unique challenges, it also offers candidates the opportunity to work on cutting-edge space programs and contribute to the development of next-generation space sensing enterprise ground systems.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to other acquisition management and program management positions within the government weapon systems domain, but may differ in terms of the specific projects, clients, and work environment
- The focus on rapid prototyping and innovation in this role may set it apart from more traditional acquisition management and program management positions
- Candidates with experience in national security space or space control mission areas may find this role particularly appealing, as it offers the opportunity to work on specialized and high-impact projects
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other acquisition management and program management positions, its focus on rapid prototyping and innovation, along with its specialization in national security space or space control mission areas, sets it apart from more traditional roles in these fields.
📝 Sample Projects
- Supporting the acquisition of a next-generation satellite system for a government agency
- Managing the program planning and execution for a rapid prototyping project in the national security space domain
- Providing technical and programmatic assessments of contractor design/milestone reviews for a space control mission area project
ASSUMPTION: The specific projects that candidates may work on in this role will vary depending on IESE Solutions' client needs and the broader market demand for acquisition management and program management services.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the specific projects or programs that I would be working on in this role?
- How does IESE Solutions support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What is the typical career path for someone in this role, and what opportunities might there be for advancement within the company?
- How does IESE Solutions ensure the security and confidentiality of sensitive information in its projects?
- What is the work-life balance like at IESE Solutions, and how does the company support its employees' personal and professional goals?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates candidates' interest in the role and their commitment to finding the right fit for both themselves and the company.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the IESE Solutions careers portal
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience in acquisition management, program management, and related fields
- Prepare a cover letter that explains your interest in this role and your qualifications for the position
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, communication abilities, and teamwork experience
- Follow up with IESE Solutions' human resources department one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
