Associate 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.

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.

Job Summary 

The space industry and acquisition practices are going through an exciting time of change. We are looking for a leader to strengthen our systems engineering capabilities to help our customers’ meet their mission challenges.   

The Systems Engineering Division (SED) provides unmatched experience in systems engineering to the U.S. government and to numerous public and private agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, consortia, and commercial companies involved in the advanced application of space technology. From systems architecture development to system analysis and optimization, astrodynamics, orbital debris, navigation, failure analysis, mission assurance, cost and schedule assessment, and economic market analysis, SED exploits an incredibly broad array of engineering and business disciplines against a diverse and dynamic portfolio of programs and national challenges.  

The Agile Systems Engineering, Planning and Analysis (ASEPA) Department concentrates on delivering strategic planning, pre-acquisition, and systems engineering planning expertise and products to form a sound basis for space, ground, launch, and airborne system program acquisition lifecycle activities for the United States Space Force (USSF), Department of Energy (DOE), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Intelligence Community (IC) and other organizations.   

As the Associate Director, ASEPA Department, you provide leadership, planning and guidance to a high performing team.  You work cooperatively with the ASEPA Director in supervising the operations and staffing of the department and in shaping its future.  This position enables a hybrid work schedule which requires at least 4 days per week in an office depending on customer needs and requirements.  

What You’ll Be Doing  

• Establish and execute against the organization’s objectives, goals, and performance standards  

• Strengthen the department’s technical capabilities  

• Collaborate strategically with staff from across the organization to advance Department and customer project goals and plans 

• Lead, develop, and participate in technical projects in the areas of Strategic Planning, Systems Engineering, and Systems Acquisition planning 

• Identify, select, and inspire engineering personnel; monitor the quality of their work outputs 

• Mentor staff, and foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence 

• Maintain technical currency in strategic planning, acquisition, and systems engineering practices 

What You Need to be Successful  

Minimum Requirements: 

• Master’s degree in engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, or related technical discipline 

• Customer-facing experience in Strategic Planning, Acquisition and/or Systems Engineering

• 12 years of relative and progressive experience in space systems 

• Familiarity with systems engineering activities, to include system requirements and concept of operations development, risk and opportunity identification, integration and verification planning and execution   

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust with team member, upper management, and customer audiences. 

• Excellent organizational and leadership skills with the ability to lead and develop teams 

• Knowledge of systems definition, architecture-level tradeoffs, project planning, requirements definition and program review principles for systems-of-systems, space, ground, launch, or Command and Control (C2) systems   

• Familiarity with United States Air Force (USAF), USSF, IC, NASA, NOAA, or DoE acquisition and systems engineering policies 

• Demonstrated communication, written, oral, editorial, and analytical skills, especially presenting and writing technical information  

• Ability to