Senior Coordinator, American Rocketry Challenge at Aerospace Industries Association – Washington, DC, Virginia

Position Summary:

Join a mission-driven organization shaping the future of STEM through the American Rocketry Challenge, the world’s largest student rocket competition and the aerospace and defense industry's flagship STEM initiative. As Senior Coordinator, you’ll support over 5,500 middle and high school students as they design, build, and launch model rockets, gaining hands-on experience in aerospace, engineering, and teamwork.

This role is ideal for a highly organized, proactive professional with strong communication skills and a passion for youth engagement. Success in this position requires the ability to manage complex schedules, balance short and long-term priorities, and maintain excellent records in a fast-paced environment. If you're a detail-oriented problem solver with a customer service mindset and a commitment to inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders, we’d love to hear from you.

The median compensation for this position is $60,000.

Key Responsibilities

This position supports the American Rocketry Challenge, the world’s largest student rocket competition, and does not require prior experience in aerospace or engineering. The Senior Coordinator manages team registration, data tracking, and customer service for students and educators, while also leading logistics for major events like the National Finals. Additional responsibilities include executing outreach strategies, maintaining program communications, and supporting administrative tasks such as scheduling, expense reporting, and travel coordination. Occasional travel is required.

Beyond the core program, the role contributes to AIA’s broader STEM outreach and supports organization-wide initiatives and events. The coordinator collaborates across teams, assists with in-person programming, and helps promote STEM careers. To ensure smooth daily operations, the position also includes occasional front desk coverage during lunch breaks or absences.

Desired Skills/Experience

• Three to five years’ work experience in STEM outreach, program/project management, social impact, or operations, preferred
• Experience working in K–12 education, nonprofit youth programs, science centers, or other informal education settings is highly relevant
• Exceptionally organized, detail-oriented, and proactive.
• Strong interpersonal skills including customer service, relationship and trust building, and communication and listening
• Experience with SurveyMonkey Apply, Teams, and project management software is preferred
• Experience with social media content development
• Strong writing and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work under time pressure to meet deadlines and balance near- and long-term tasks. In addition, be flexible where extra hours are needed without always being asked
• A team player attitude, with dynamic customer service, and proven ability to respond to internal and external requests, from all levels of leadership, for assistance promptly, professionally, and effectively
• Ability to independently prioritize, multi-task duties, and collaborate across AIA. In addition, possesses well-developed interpersonal and time management skills
• Natural desire to take ownership to contribute to the broader team
• Experience with content creation—written and visual. Basic graphic design skills are a plus

Education

• An associate or bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field or equivalent work experience, preferred

To Apply, please send the following documents to jobs@aia-aerospace.org:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AIA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, committed to non-discrimination regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.