Principal Director - Advanced Systems Directorate

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.

At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.

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 Special Programs Division in DSG is looking for a Principal Director to lead the dynamic Advanced Systems Directorate (ASD) that provides expert technical support and guidance to the newly formed SSC/SZW organization. The selected candidate will provide management oversight and orchestrate technical leadership for major acquisition programs spanning concept design through development and operation, serve as a senior point of contact for a government Senior Material Leader (SML), and execute line management functions including staffing, mentoring, and strategic planning across the mission portfolio. The PD will be the face of Aerospace to the integrated government team and will work closely with the Space Force management team to identify programmatic, technical, and mission assurance challenges. A significant challenge will be executing the Aerospace role in a SCIF environment. The position is a direct report to the Special Programs Division General Manager (GM) and includes corporate leadership responsibilities and assignments. 

Work Model:  Due to the nature of the work, this role is fully onsite working in El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading the Advanced Systems Directorate (ASD) organization including setting strategy, goals and expectations, developing, coaching and mentoring, performance and development, and driving engagement and retention of talent.
• Work closely with the Space Force management team to identify program technical challenges and provide timely, relevant, and high-quality solutions.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of program information to senior Aerospace and Space Force managers.
• Be responsible for adjusting staffing levels, making DEI-informed hiring decisions, and supporting the staff’s career development.
• Maintain understanding of current and future customer needs via continuous interaction with Aerospace and customer leadership
• Be responsible for the effective and efficient execution of all accountabilities assigned to Aerospace in the portfolio Aerospace Requirements Tool
• Establish strategic direction and objectives to the organization consistent with corporate goals, customer needs and assigned functions, and clearly communicate expectations to staff
• Encourage and curate new ideas, tools, skills, processes, and creative thinking to influence the healthy sustainment and expansion of organizational capabilities spanning concept design through development, deployment, and operation

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field or equivalent
• Strong technical leadership skills and a proven ability to form and lead interdisciplinary teams
• 15 or more years of progressively responsible, applicable experience in systems engineering or program management
• Recognized ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of corporate staff, government customers, and contractors
• Experience with relevant system technologies
• Superior verbal and written communication skills
• Willing to travel domestically and internationally (approximately 20% of work time)
• Current TS/SCI with the ability to obtain additional clearances

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Active program clearance for the SSC/SZ mission area
• Prior experience managing teams in direct support of a customer in the program office, including developing organizational strategy and goals, managing leaders or senior staff, recruitment, performance management, development of talent.
• Familiarity with military space systems and operational concepts
• Work experience with mission assurance processes
• Comprehensive experience with DoD acquisition and program development processes
• Experience with counterspace threats

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 diverse 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/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. 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 ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.