Systems Director - Office of the Director, DAF Studies and Analysis (SAF/SA)

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 Pentagon and Multi-Domain Division provides the technical analyses needed to inform and underpin decisions made by senior leaders within the Department of Defense (DoD).  We address a broad range of space-related issues to help shape current and future DoD missions, taking on challenging space-related problems on behalf of our DoD customers in areas such as emerging technologies, operational analysis, architecture, policy and strategy, developmental planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction.

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) Programs Subdivision provides leadership on a diverse portfolio of work, including technical expertise and analysis-based decision support to senior leaders within the Secretariat of the Air Force and the Headquarters United States Space Force. We are looking for a Systems Director, Systems & Modeling & Simulation to lead and manage Aerospace support to the Office of the Director, DAF Studies and Analysis (SAF/SA). In this role, you’ll lead a staff and engineering/technical reachback resources in support of SAF/SA’s space-related challenges. You’ll play a pivotal role in expanding Aerospace’s contribution and influence in ensuring the space domain is well-captured in DAF multi-domain modeling and analysis efforts.

Work Location: This is a full-time position based in the Pentagon which requires 100% onsite work with the customer.

What You'll Be Doing

• Provide overall leadership and management of Aerospace’s SAF/SA portfolio of projects supporting campaign and mission analyses, POM/Planning inputs, digital transformation and integration, and joint planning exercises.  
• Establish trusted relationships with key senior leaders within SAF/SA and other Secretariat and Headquarters offices.  Establish and maintain Aerospace’s positive reputation with new and existing customers as a problem solver and thought leader.  Anticipate future customer needs and evolve an agile, high-quality technical and enterprise support workforce (on-site and matrix) to respond at speed.
• Deliver advanced decision support capabilities and products to our government customers.  Lead and support cross-corporation and cross-organizational teams to execute studies and analysis activities of national significance.  Foster appropriate cooperation and coordination across the space enterprise to help assure enterprise mission success.
• Drive and facilitate cross-customer coordination via proactive engagement with other teams within Aerospace (e.g., Aerospace’s Engineering Technology Group (ETG) and its Center for Space Policy)
• Demonstrate leadership for team members, set expectations and direction, and provide critical feedback and mentoring.
• Personnel management and financial management of the SAF/SA Aerospace efforts.

What You Need to Be Successful - Systems Director, Systems & Modeling & Simulation Engineering

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field or closely related technical field
• 12 or more years of progressively demonstrated engineering and analytics experience,
• Demonstrated leadership skills including team building/leadership, conflict resolution, staffing and customer relationship building
• Technical expertise relevant to the SAF/SA mission portfolio.
• Experience leading or supporting technical study teams within SAF/SA
• Proven ability to work effectively with senior government customers (flag or SES level) from diverse organizations
• Proven ability to network with contractors, other government agencies, and internal organizations (e.g., Aerospace program offices and ETG) to address issues and provide the customer with the best available technical and programmatic analyses
• Excellent written communication skills - organize complex materials and concepts in clear and logical manner
• Excellent verbal communication skills - clear, concise, persuasive; builds consensus through speaking; polished, professional style
• This position requires an active TS/SSBI security clearance as well as the Special Access requirements to be collocated in SAF/SA facilities, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
• Ability to travel as required

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced technical and/or business degree
• Previous experience supporting SAF/SA and other space analytical efforts in the Pentagon.
• In-depth knowledge of roles played by the military services; the combatant commands; the U.S. Space Force; the Office of the Secretary of Defense; the Office of the Director of National Intelligence; the National Reconnaissance Office; the Joint Staff; and other government organizations in development and operations of the national security space enterprise.
• Experience in campaign modeling and mission modeling for DAF missions
• Familiarity with national security system procurement processes, including the Defense Acquisition System (DAS); the Programming, Planning, Budgeting and Execution (PPBE) process; and the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS)
• Experience with AFSIM and STORM analysis efforts.
• Applicable SAP/SAR accesses

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.