Director - Launch Systems

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.

Project West Wing provides technical intelligence analysis and research for a broad range of US strategic modernization, national security space, and intelligence community customers. PWW is a key leader in corporate efforts to help the U.S. space enterprise outpace the threats to our national space systems. The Director – Launch Systems (Director – Flight Mechanics) will lead a team of technical intelligence analysts in the PWW International Launch Systems office to support missile warning/tracking/defense and other programs. 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 100% on-site position based in El Segundo, CA at Los Angeles Air Force Base.

What You'll Be Doing

• Maintain currency with foreign missile and space launch system developments and collaborate with intelligence community counterparts 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 missile warning/tracking/defense system development, test and operations; ensure threat model fidelity is sufficient for the intended application
• Identify and develop opportunities 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
• Oversee the adoption of modern software and data management practices to increase productivity
• Manage technical staff, budgets, activity reporting

What You Need to be Successful - Director, Launch Systems

Minimum Requirements:

• Advanced degree in Engineering, Physical Science, or Math with at least 10 years applicable experience
• An inherent interest in tackling and solving problems that matter
• A background in the analysis and simulation of space or missile systems
• Experience in engineering disciplines such as propulsion, guidance and control, aerodynamics, signatures, trajectory reconstruction/design, or parameter estimation
• Strong Windows-based computing skills, MATLAB/Python proficiency, 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
• The position requires a minimum of a Secret security with the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance and SCI access, which is is