The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The National Systems Group serves as the technical advisor to the Intelligence Community and its mission partners involved in the collection and distribution of national and tactical intelligence, including electronics programs, advanced technologies, ground and communications, imagery programs, and systems engineering and launch.

 

Imagery Programs Division’s (IPD) Proliferated Systems (PS) Office supports multiple groundbreaking major system acquisitions, and we are looking for a Systems Director – Proliferated Systems (Systems Director – Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering) with broad space and engineering experience to contribute to a revolutionary distributed architecture system.  The Systems Director will directly support the customer leads and will work alongside customer and contractor teams, leading Aerospace program office and Engineering Technology Group support to both development and production efforts which include spacecraft bus and payload design, analysis, build, integration, and test activities.  The Systems Director will also coordinate enterprise integration efforts with related program offices and across the Aerospace backplane.

 

This position requires 100% in-person work in Chantilly, VA

 

What You’ll Be Doing:

 

• Leading an Aerospace program office and ETG team supporting the customer overseeing the design, acquisition, production, assembly, integration, test (AI&T), launch and operations of a large, distributed architecture
• Identifying, shaping, and pursuing opportunities for Aerospace (program office and ETG) to engage in a targeted manner to add tangible value to customer and contractors alike on fast-paced, production programs
• Understanding, examining, evaluating, and assessing the full technical architecture and design of multiple programs
• Identifying and characterizing risks, providing perspectives and options to allow customers to make informed decisions
• Developing and maintaining strong, effective working relationships with customers, SETA personnel, and contractor counterparts
• Leading non-conformance, anomaly, and major technical issue response teams
• Collaborating, developing, and presenting timely and technically accurate presentations and reports that clearly communicate analysis results and provide recommended solutions to technical leads, management, and customers
• Mentoring Aerospace team members on leadership competencies and executive presentation skills that empower employees to achieve their goals

 

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Systems Director – Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering:

 

• Bachelor’s OR Advanced degree in Engineering, Science, Mathematics, or a related technical field from an accredited institution.
• 12 or more years of progressively responsible technical experience in space systems, programs, and systems engineering or acquisition
• Prior experience leading high-performance teams and demonstrated ability to work in complex, multi-disciplinary environments and thrive in fast-paced, dynamic settings
• Prior experience working with the Aerospace Engineering Technology Group
• Ability to communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and develop relationships with customers, SETA, Aerospace, and contractor personnel
• Willing to support occasional travel (up to 1 week per month)
• This position requires a current and active TS/SSBI/SCI security clearance and polygraph, which are issued by the U.S. government.  U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

 

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

 

• A vision for how Aerospace can effectively engage and add value on non-traditional, fast-paced, risk tolerant, high volume production programs which heavily leverage existing commercial technology and capabilities
• Commercial or industry experience with spacecraft production, with hardware experience and depth in one or more competencies from spacecraft design, development, or assembly, integration, and test

• Ability to apply creative solutions to non-traditional programs within contractual constraints and with limited technical insight
• Demonstrates enterprise-level perspective with prior Program Office(s) and ETG experience
• Outstanding communication skills and ability to work in a self-motivated and self-directed manner

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.  The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below.  Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

$168,200.00 - $252,400.00

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change   
• Engage with Impact   
• Foster Innovation   
• Deliver Results  

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.  A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire

• Flexible spending accounts

• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

• Relocation assistance

• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

• Education assistance programs

• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.