Commercial Space Futures Office, Assistant Principal Director

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 Aerospace Corporation is committed to advancing and accelerating the application of U.S. commercial space capabilities in direct support of government customers through its Commercial Space Futures Office (CSFO). CSFO is an organization within the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) which supports the U.S. space enterprise to maximize U.S. government access to and incorporation of commercial space capabilities and technologies.

The Commercial Space Futures Office (CSFO) faces three directions at once: internally, as a change agent influencing the Aerospace Corporation’s enterprise; externally, as direct and supplementary decision support to our National Security and Civil space agencies; and externally, as key influencers to the markets driving innovation in the space economy. CSFO actively engages in each direction simultaneously to help shape the future of our National space enterprise. As part of the CSFO team, the Commercial Space Futures - Assistant Principal Director (Assistant Principal Director-Technical Program Management Office) will co-pilot the maturation and growth of CSFO in supporting the National Space Enterprise’s evolution toward more agile, innovative architectures that mindfully leverage commercial and innovation base capabilities. In addition, the successful applicant will have a significant role supporting internal Aerospace organizations working within the commercial space area, and external US Government customers; while also seeking to partner with investors, companies, and market thought leaders for market research and demand signaling.

Work Model: This is a full-time position based in one of three locations: The Greater Washington, DC Metro Area; Colorado Springs, CO; or El Segundo, CA, with preference for either the greater Washington, DC Metro or Colorado Springs, CO. For this position, Aerospace offers a hybrid work model that combines a minimum of 4 regular onsite workdays with remote flexibility as the business needs allow. Domestic and international travel will be required up to 30% of the time.

What You Will Be Doing:

• With the Principal Director, Commercial Space Futures, you will co-pilot the development and execution of Aerospace’s Commercial Space Peloton, a cross-functional initiative to create actionable integration pathways for commercial and space innovation base capabilities for our DoD, Intelligence Community, and Civil Space agencies.
• Develop, mature, and execute Aerospace multi-disciplined commercial space capability/service independent assessment process and products in support of DoD, IC and Civil US Government customers and clients as the industry standard for independent validation and verification (IV&V) methodology applicable to all space mission areas.
• With the Principal Director, Commercial Space Futures, and the Chief Technology Officer, support the curation and implementation of Aerospace’s corporate Commercial Space Strategy to create products and services that align with customer needs and corporate goals.
• Engage with key National Security Space and Civil space agency-level offices to understand and then satisfy needs related to commercial technology investment planning, commercial technology roadmapping, and integration planning for commercial and space innovation base capabilities; where necessary, resource dedicated support for these offices.
• Support the Principal Director’s interactions with Aerospace executive management regarding strategy, business results, and resources, to include management of the CSF Corporate Strategic Investment efforts, and both on and off-ceiling PTS management.
• Engage with commercial space providers, space and non-space technology experts and companies (including non-traditional applications) to assess their products, approaches, and technologies for integration into the space enterprise to outpace the threat, and meet ever changing requirements.
• Establish partner teams within Aerospace to resource necessary expertise to assess commercial technologies that have potential DoD space architecture applications and disseminate analysis across enterprise at a consistent cadence.
• Direct support to the USSF/SSC Commercial Solutions Office, AFRL’s SpaceWERX, and other direct customers as required for strategy, policy, and process curation; requirements development and validation, source selection and evaluation, as well as other relevant policy, strategy, planning, and programming tasks and processes to resource USSF’s and DoD’s commercial space capability/service’s needs.
• Partnering with Aerospace’s Corporate Communications team, participate in technical forums (e.g., TechCrunch, Space Symposium) as a thought leader, and draft and publish thought pieces on commercial space capabilities and services to develop and maintain relationships and inform and educate government and industry.

What You Will Need To Be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Assistant Principal Director-Technical Program Management Office

• Proactive, fast learner with the willingness and ability to work in a dynamic hi-visibility environment with routine engagement with the most executive levels of government and decision makers.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in commercial space capabilities, related technologies and services, and/or development/engineering, and/or program management.
• Experience in commercial space systems technologies, capabilities, acquisition, and an understanding of space and ground systems development.
• Current knowledge of the commercial, DOD, IC and Civil space systems challenges and opportunities, including national- and agency-level space policy and knowledge of government planning, programming, budgeting, and execution cycles.
• Excellent full-spectrum communication and interpersonal skills; adept at written and oral communication spanning a wide range of levels of detail and communication media/processes.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, science, computer science, or other technical discipline.
• Willing to travel 30% and/or as desired/required.
• Possession and ability to maintain TS/SCI security clearance as issued by the US 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:

• Advanced degree in engineering, mathematics, science, computer science, or other technical discipline. MBA focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, etc. would be excellent alternative to MS
• Experience in and planning/leading strategic foresighting studies and / or strategic technology investment roadmapping
• Working experience and familiarity with Aerospace’ CSF and the Bench to Battlefield process, DOD, IC and Civil space agency/organization National Security Space planning and processes. 
• Working knowledge of Aerospace Engineering and Technology Group (ETG), Defense Systems Group (DSG), National Systems Group (NSG), and the Office of the Chief Technology Officer skills and capabilities.
• Experience working large, complex issues and the ability to break down problems into meaningful steps to accomplish with a team
• Working knowledge of the Pentagon and Interagency coordination processes / points of contact. Recent previous or current Pentagon / ODNI access (“green badge” or “blue badge”)

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.