Systems Director - Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) - X (Lockheed Martin)

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 Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is a research, development, and acquisition agency within the Department of Defense.  Its main mission is to develop and deploy a layered Missile Defense System to defend the United States, its deployed forces, and allies from missile attacks in all phases of flight. MDA has awarded two contracts to Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. (NGSC) and Lockheed Martin Corp. in support of the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) program for the Ground Based Midcourse Defense. 

This newly awarded contract is structured to carry two designs into the technology development and risk reduction phase of the acquisition program to reduce technical and schedule risk.  Aerospace, along with multiple FFRDC/UWARCs will be playing a significant role in the weapon acquisition cycle of the NGI-Y (NGSC) by providing the independent technical and programmatic assessments of this new system and architecture, the development of systems engineering processes and practices, requirements development, design reviews, qualifications & tests, and risk management to inform decision makers.

Work Model

This is a hybrid position based in Huntsville, AL.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide leadership, planning, and direction of the Aerospace technical support to NGI-X program. 
• Collaboratively work with the Technical Direction Agent (TDA) participants to optimize resource sharing in the areas of system design, system/component tests & integration, launch site evaluation, and CONOPS.
• Independently participate in major milestone reviews, including PMRs, SRRs, PDRs, CDRs, and readiness reviews.
• Assign resources, determine staffing needs, and coordinates activities and operations among subordinate units & ETG.
• Direct and lead special studies and independent assessments as requested by the TDA lead and NGI-X Program Management Office.
• Identify NGI-X system risks and recommend prioritized risk mitigation activities
• Lead study planning, execution, review, and product delivery.
• Provide support to a geographically distributed Aerospace team located in Huntsville, and AGO.
• Interface with industry to identify opportunities for design optimization and tests.
• Maintain a strong customer-facing relationship with national laboratories, FFRDCs, UWARCs and SETA contractors, as well as MDA government stakeholders.
• Hire and mentor staff and conduct performance reviews and performance management.
• Lead and oversee work execution and ensure quality and completeness of products.
• Represent the Aerospace corporation to customers at all working and management levels.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• A Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, or equivalent technical field.
• A minimum of twelve years of progressively relevant professional engineering/scientific and managerial experience in the areas of launch vehicle and spacecraft.
• Demonstrated management and leadership skills within a program office or matrixed technical organization, leading project teams, formulating task plans, ensuring product quality and effective interactions with customers.
• Demonstrated technical credibility across a broad set of engineering topics, and a deep understanding of engineering complex systems.
• Strong oral and written communication, interpersonal, organizational and team building skills.
• Ability to work in a self-motivated and directed manner with senior customer personnel on a variety of technical, programmatic, and administrative issues, in a customer field-office environment, is required.
• This position requires a current Secret clearance and ability to obtain TS is required, which is issued by the US government. US Citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Some travel is required.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• An advanced degree (MS or PhD) engineering, science, or equivalent technical field is highly de