Principal Director - Advanced Systems Directorate

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.

The Special Programs Division in DSG is looking for a Principal Director to lead the dynamic Advanced Systems Directorate (ASD) that provides expert technical support and guidance to the newly formed SSC/SZW organization. The selected candidate will provide management oversight and orchestrate technical leadership for major acquisition programs spanning concept design through development and operation, serve as a senior point of contact for a government Senior Material Leader (SML), and execute line management functions including staffing, mentoring, and strategic planning across the mission portfolio. The PD will be the face of Aerospace to the integrated government team and will work closely with the Space Force management team to identify programmatic, technical, and mission assurance challenges. A significant challenge will be executing the Aerospace role in a SCIF environment. The position is a direct report to the Special Programs Division General Manager (GM) and includes corporate leadership responsibilities and assignments. 

Work Model:  Due to the nature of the work, this role is fully onsite working in El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading the Advanced Systems Directorate (ASD) organization including setting strategy, goals and expectations, developing, coaching and mentoring, performance and development, and driving engagement and retention of talent.
• Work closely with the Space Force management team to identify program technical challenges and provide timely, relevant, and high-quality solutions.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of program information to senior Aerospace and Space Force managers.
• Be responsible for adjusting staffing levels, making DEI-informed hiring decisions, and supporting the staff’s career development.
• Maintain understanding of current and future customer needs via continuous interaction with Aerospace and customer leadership
• Be responsible for the effective and efficient execution of all accountabilities assigned to Aerospace in the portfolio Aerospace Requirements Tool
• Establish strategic direction and objectives to the organization consistent with corporate goals, customer needs and assigned functions, and clearly communicate expectations to staff
• Encourage and curate new ideas, tools, skills, processes, and creative thinking to influence the healthy sustainment and expansion of organizational capabilities spanning concept design through development, deployment, and operation

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field or equivalent
• Strong technical leadership skills and a proven ability to form and lead interdisciplinary teams
• 15 or more years of progressively responsible, applicable experience in systems engineering or program management
• Recognized ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of corporate staff, government customers, and contractors
• Experience with relevant system technologies
• Superior verbal and written communication skills
• Wi