Systems Director - Prototypes Integration & Systems Engineering

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.

The Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, developmental planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape future space missions across the national security space enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including United States Space Force, United States Space Command, Air Force Material 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.

The Systems Director for Prototypes Integration & Systems Engineering within the Space Innovation Directorate (SID) leads the Aerospace team supporting cross-cutting systems engineering, strategic initiatives and future prototype development for the Space Force Space Systems Command and the Air Force Research Laboratory. This includes technical support for assessment of technology needs for future Space Force capabilities, assistance and oversight for technology development programs, and mission development, systems engineering, and operations planning for technology demonstrations and space experiments / prototypes.

Work Model

This is an 100% on-site position at Kirtland AFB, in Albuquerque NM.

What You’ll Be doing

• Assist in positioning Aerospace as the FFRDC of choice for the Space Force and AFRL by providing the highest value in our program contributions 
• Integration of Aerospace knowledge and analysis to provide responsive recommendations to the customer leadership for multiple, diverse on-going programs and new programs added to the portfolio 
• Actively communicate and coordinate across organizations, management, and customers to ensure timely, high-quality development and delivery of strategies, analyses, risk assessments and recommendations  
• Integrate and leverage all aspects/functions/capability of the Aerospace Corporation in executing the mission portfolio through virtual teaming, backplane engagement, ETG matrix, etc. 
• Work closely with members of a diverse team of military, government civilians, prime contractors, SE&I contractors, FFRDCs and National Laboratories. Work closely with Aerospace Labs, communities, and internal development projects to generate collaboration with AFRL projects
• Manage a team of 3-5 high-performing employees and assist with the management of the technical operating plans, budget control, staffing, workforce needs, personnel development, technical positions, performance evaluations, and customer interactions 
• Actively participate in customer senior decision forums. Elevate Aerospace’s strategic value to the Space Force through the objective evaluation of alternative mission designs, technical advice on Space focused acquisitions, and optimized support to integration and launch. 
• Assist with anticipating the customer needs and create an agile workforce at a regional office that can respond efficiently to growth
• Manage level of effort allocations of program office team and ETG reach back  

What You Need to Be Successful – Systems Director, Engineering Program Management

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM or closely related technical field
• 12 or more years of progressively responsible experience in systems engineering or program management within the space enterprise
• Demonstrated management and leadership skills within a program office or matrixed technical organization, leading project teams, formulating task plans, ensuring product quality and effective interactions with customers, FFRDC and SETA personnel
• Ability to work in a self-motivated and directed manner with senior customer personnel on a variety of technical, programmatic, and administrative issues, in a customer field-office environment
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills; experience presenting and writing technical information
• Occasional travel required
• Position requires an active TS/SCI or current SSBI, which is issued by the US government. US 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:

• Knowledge of Aerospace’s Engineering and Technology Group (ETG) skills and capabilities
• Knowledge of Space Force and Air Force Research Laboratory structure, leadership, and funding
• Experience with program execution from initiation of acquisition strategy and proposal development through source selection support; to program design, development, integration and test; to launch and early orbit; continuing through operations.
• An excellent personal technical reputation and a record of personal technical achievement
• Program office and management experience 
• Demonstrated ability to form and lead small, high-performance teams 
• Working knowledge of expertise from across the Aerospace corporation, especially subject matter experts and laboratory operations with the ability to support customer needs 

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.