Systems Director - Long Range Standoff (LRSO)

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.

As part of the Strategic Deterrence and Defense Division (SD3), the Nuclear Operations Directorate provides support to the USAF Nuclear Weapons Systems Center (AFNSC) located at Kirtland AFB within the Air Force Materiel Command.  We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Systems Director -Long Range Standoff (LRSO) to support the USAF LRSO program manager and chief engineer and manage all Aerospace support to the LRSO program.  LRSO is the replacement nuclear armed cruise missile for the USAF.  When deployed it will replace the Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM).  LRSO is a national priority program and will provide (along with the carrier aircraft) the primary portion of the air leg of the US nuclear triad.  The successful candidate will lead the Aerospace team on-site at Eglin AFB and provide experience-based technical expertise and trusted counsel to LRSO leadership on all aspects of missile development.  Aerospace supports a large variety of technical tasks including manufacturing, software, testing, structural analysis, and system integration.  This support heavily leverages reach back support using subject matter experts and laboratories in El Segundo, CA and Washington DC.  FY25 support totals 16 full time equivalent staff with 5 on-site at Eglin AFB.  This position reports directly to the Principal Director for Nuclear Operations at Kirtland AFB.

Work Model: This position requires 100% on site work at Eglin AFB near Fort Walton Beach, FL with occasional travel to El Segundo, CA; Washington DC and potentially other domestic locations. Occasional teleworking is permitted as long as customer interaction is not impacted (AF family days, Federal Holidays not in common with Aerospace holidays).  

What You’ll Be doing

• Providing trusted technical counsel to the govt Program Manager and Chief Engineer for the LRSO program
• Serve as the Eglin AFB site lead for Aerospace responsible for providing on-site management guidance to all Aerospace staff at Eglin AFB regardless of home organization (currently 8 staff)
• Lead a high performing team of currently 5 employees at Eglin AFB as their direct supervisor to include operating plans, budgets, staffing, workforce needs, personnel development, technical positions, and performance evaluations
• Integrating Aerospace’s Engineering Technology Group (ETG) corporate expertise, analysis, and knowledge to provide timely, data-driven recommendations to our customers
• Solving the customers hardest problems in the development, fielding, planning, integration, and operational employment of new nuclear capabilities
• Being a leader of, and an individual contributor to specific tasks
• Ensuring the technical quality and rigor of analyses, products, counsel, and written products.
• Exemplify Aerospace corporate values of objectivity and integrity when serving as a trusted agent to our government customers

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

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in science, mathematics, engineering, or closely related field
• Experience with DOD acquisition and management processes
• Twelve or more years of dynamically responsible professional experience applicable to the position
• Demonstrated and exceptional interpersonal, teambuilding, strategic, leadership and communication skills
• A strong technical background and experience in operations, systems engineering, testing, fielding and operations from a range of perspectives and domains
• Experience leading technical projects and/or teams
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with all levels of Government, Aerospace, and contractor personnel including Generals and Aerospace executives
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams of engineers on multiple simultaneous efforts 
• Ability to influence outcomes with both strong verbal and written communications using objective facts, analysis, modeling & simulation, and testing results
• This position requires a current TS security clearance, which is issued by the US government. US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• This position requires LRSO program specific access (SAP/SAR access) be granted by the US government before starting and this is separate and distinct from the TS security clearance
• Ability to work in the office, this position is only compatible with occasional telework
• Ability to travel domestically (approximately quarterly but potentially more frequently if program needs change)

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Experience with cruise missile development
• Advanced engineering or technical degree
• Strong understanding of Aerospace management roles and responsibilities and internal corporate processes
• Demonstrated ability to leverage subject matter experts across a matrix organization to support a project/program
• Demonstrated success in directly interfacing with senior government leadership of varying backgrounds.  Proven ability to professionally engage with velocity with all levels of customers and U.S. Government personnel
• Experience with creative technical and managerial problem solving under stressing conditions in order to shape the future
• Current SCI access
• Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) /Special Access Required (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.