Systems Director, Environmental & Tactical Surveillance

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.

In the Space-Based Sensing Division, the Environmental & Tactical Surveillance (EaTS) Subdivision provides technical and programmatic support to the Environmental Monitoring (EM) and Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Tracking (TacSRT) mission areas. The EaTS portfolio includes support to ongoing acquisition programs, as well as formulation of strategies for the future enterprise in the context of evolving sensing technology, modeling and data analytics techniques, and end user needs.

Work Model: This position is in El Segundo, CA, at LAAFB in the SSC/SNS Program Office. It is part of a customer-facing program office team that is expected on-site consistent with the customer. Occasional teleworking is permitted as business needs allow and in coordination with management.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing trusted technical and programmatic counsel to the government program office leadership for EM Futures and TacSRT operations and development efforts
• Developing and executing strategy for the EM and TacSRT mission areas and aligning Aerospace tasks and efforts accordingly, which will include mission engineering, requirements development, technology evaluation, prototyping, and architecture studies, among other activities
• Interfacing and coordinating regularly with external organizations across the DOD, Intelligence Community, Civil, and Commercial organizations to ensure alignment in technical and programmatic execution
• Leading a team of professionals – setting the strategy, goals and objectives for the team and determining organization structure and resource needs
• Responsible for hiring, financial management (budget, allocation of resources), performance management, compensation, rewards and recognition, and professional development of team members
• Integrating Aerospace’s Engineering Technology Group (ETG) corporate expertise, analysis, and knowledge to provide timely, data-driven recommendations to customers
• Exemplifying Aerospace corporate values of objectivity and integrity when serving as a trusted agent to government customers
• Operates strategically and engaging with impact to ensure successful realization of an enduring capability for both EM and TacSRT

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

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, mathematics or an appropriate technical discipline
• Minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex and potentially nebulous problem sets, develop strategy, and align and execute multi-disciplinary, multi-organizational teams
• Proactivity in problem-solving and enthusiasm in tackling problems in innovative ways
• Leadership and team-building abilities, with previous experience in fostering relationships both internally across the organization and  with external organizations(e.g. government and contractors)
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate decisional information at varying levels of technical detail
• Willingness to travel approximately 25% of the time to domestic locations (Colorado Springs, Washington D.C., potentially others).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a 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 these:

• Knowledge of EM or TacSRT requirements, stakeholders, and relevance to enterprise effects
• Experience in hiring and managing a dynamic technical team
• Advanced degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or an appropriate technical discipline
• Current Secret clearance, issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

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.