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.

Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, development planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape the future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including US Space Force, U.S Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers but also horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. DSG also assists the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

The Principal Director for Space Based Sensing and Targeting (SBST) Space Data Network (SDN) Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) Support will lead Aerospace support to SBST SDN space and ground acquisitions, some of the overall SBST architecture, and SBST SDN ground integration efforts. The SBST PAE is a fast-paced and selectively staffed organization providing proliferated warfighting architectures on accelerated timelines to solve the highest priority warfighter issues. The SBST PAE organization is geographically disbursed, with a west coast program office for Space Data Network (SDN) acquisitions and architecting, and partnerships with another organization for the initial AMTI constellation and ground acquisition.  You will lead small and cohesive teams that integrate seamlessly into SBST’s bicoastal program office structure and their contractor counterparts.

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leads Aerospace support to Space Based Sensing and Tracking (SBST) SDN space and ground acquisition as an agile and innovative provider delivering key capabilities to warfighters
• Understands customer needs and directs organization resources and operations to respond effectively and rapidly to those needs.
• Establishes organizational structure and staffing. Recommends budgets, allocates resources, and establishes priorities. Reports organizational technical activities, issues, and accomplishments to upper management, subordinates, and customers through briefings and written/oral reports.
• Assembles and directs teams established to analyze, define, and satisfy customer needs from available resources; supplements teams with outside resources as needed.
• Manages systems engineering in support of the SBST SDN government lead and its partner organizations, maintaining intimate knowledge of program specifics, and provides continuity of technical responsibility.  
• Drives integration across the DSG, NSG, and overall space enterprise with partner organizations to provide mission integration across the SBST portfolio and deliver the expected warfighting capability.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Principal Director:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited program in engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science or other applicable degree
• 12+ years of relevant engineering/technical/operational/system fielding experience
• Proven track record in a managerial role, shaping culture and creating workforce strategies while partnering with People Ops
• Skilled in developing, integrating, and testing (developmental/operational) DoD and/or IC space capabilities, missions, and programs in standard and rapid acquisition environments
• Adept at program planning/execution and applying systems engineering to complex problems
• Demonstrated ability to lead through change, communicate effectively with Senior Government Officials, and develop strategy for acquisition organizations and enterprise teams to deliver impact at speed
• Proficient in working across integrated Government, FFRDC, SETA, and Aerospace teams to drive cross-organizational integration
• Able to work and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and tackle complex problems without clear point solutions
• Strong technical leadership, interpersonal, and team-building skills
• Stellar verbal and written communication skills
• Willing to travel domestically up to 20-30% of the time
• This position requires an active TS/SCI clearance, which is 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 the following:

• Master’s degree or PhD from an accredited program in engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science or other applicable degree
• 15 or more years of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific experience
• Experience with space systems (e.g. space/ground/mission systems)
• Experience with space operations (e.g. TT&C, mission commanding, and/or mission data exploitation)
• Experience leading resource planning, scheduling, prioritization, and budgeting process
• Experience leading complex integration activities

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)

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.