Director - Enterprise Threats

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.

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.

Project West Wing (PWW) provides technical intelligence analysis and research for a broad range of national security space and intelligence community customers. PWW is a key leader in helping the U.S. space enterprise outpace the threats to our national space systems. Lead a team of technical intelligence analysts in the PWW Enterprise Threats office bringing to bear technical skills to characterize the fast-evolving field of space threats and their implications to U.S. national security space. Identify and solve hard intelligence problems that impact current and future customer missions. Anticipate and articulate future threats, develop and recommend courses of actions. Work closely with, but independently of, intelligence community and contractor counterparts. Apply senior staff expertise for maximum impact, guide less experienced staff, recruit and develop new staff, modernize processes and tools.

Work Model

This is a full-time on-site position based in El Segundo, CA at Los Angeles Air Force Base.

What You'll Be Doing

• Maintain currency with a broad spectrum of foreign ground- and space-based threats to U.S. space capabilities and their developments and capabilities; collaborate with intelligence community counterparts and Aerospace engineers and subject matter experts to improve threat assessments and models
• Identify and resolve gaps in intelligence assessments and propose innovative solutions of hard problems 
• Provide threat analysis to support various Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers
• Identify and develop opportunities across any stage of the lifecycle where the application of relevant intelligence can improve mission performance
• Lead intelligence studies, interface with customers, guide development and delivery of technical products
• Prepare and present technical briefings and reports and participate in defense and intelligence community technical interchanges
• Manage technical staff including but not limited to performance management, development, salary and promotional decisions, and workload management), budgets, activity reporting

What You Need to be Successful – Director - Systems and Scientific & Technical Intelligence Engineering

Minimum Requirements:

• Advanced degree in Engineering, Physical Science, or Math with at least 10 years applicable experience
• An inherent interest in continuously learning and updating your knowledge base while tackling and solving problems that matter
• A technical background in either space or relevant ground systems
• Experience in engineering disciplines (such as communications, optics, lasers, remote sensing, orbital dynamics)
• Strong Windows-based computing skills, data/knowledge management skills
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to work independently and with internal or external teams
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, particularly technical report writing and review
• Possess, previously possessed, or be eligible for a Top Secret clearance and SCI access, US Citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Ability to Travel (domestic travel expected quarterly, on average, for up to a week)

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Prior experience and familiarity with military and intelligence community organizations
• Substantial experience in space and counterspace threat intelligence, space technologies, strategic deterrence, C2/C3 analysis, constellation architecting, wargaming, mission risk assessments, and/or foresighting analyses, especially from a technical perspective  
• Prior experience leading technical  teams
• Experience with classified data handling
• Existing TS/SSBI/SCI security clearance, issued by the U.S. Government

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 various 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 employer. 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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.