Vehicle and Ground Concepts Department – 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.

The Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a diverse and dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space-enabled mission effects.

Vehicle and Ground Concepts Department Description

The Vehicle and Ground Concepts Department (VGCD) in EED provides space vehicle and ground system preliminary/conceptual design; trade and architecture analysis, modeling, process development and leadership expertise; and tool development in support of conceptual design activities across the space enterprise. As a member of VGCD, you will be designing innovative ground segment solutions to meet the most pressing mission needs of our US Space Force, Intelligence Community, NASA, NOAA, and commercial/international customers. The Associate Director will work with the Director (El Segundo) to develop customer relationships; develop, grow, manage, and perform work; and hire and mentor staff in all locations to support VGCD and Enterprise Design Subdivision (EDS) activities.

Work Model

This position will follow an in-person work model with a minimum of 4 days per week of onsite work required at one of Aerospace’s campuses in Chantilly, VA or Colorado Springs, CO.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Assist the Director in managing the Vehicle and Ground Concepts Department staff located in Chantilly, VA; Albuquerque, NM; Colorado Springs, CO; and El Segundo, CA working diverse and disparate problems
• Be the department’s focal point for program office inquiries for current and future tasking involving ground system concept design
• Realize opportunities for additional, expanded, and new tasking for staff involving ground system concept design
• Conduct staff performance reviews and other personnel management functions such as managing team resources and needs, providing career development and mentoring, and recommending personnel staffing requests
• Mentor staff both in technical and career growth
• Evaluate ground system concept designs and participate in design reviews
• Hire and develop staff to build/expand ground systems capabilities
• Engage with government and program office personnel and technical experts across Aerospace
• Provide ground systems engineering support expertise to Aerospace program offices as a technical subject matter expert and project leader

What You Need To Be Successful

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant engineering discipline, science, or a related field
• Minimum 10 years relevant experience including experience related to ground system concepts design with a strong knowledge of ground systems and systems engineering principles
• Demonstrated experience working and interacting with program offices
• Experience in developing talent and mentoring
• Experience leading or managing a geographically distributed team, including remote employees
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment, adapt quickly to change, manage multiple concurrent projects, lead multi-disciplinary teams, and demonstrate initiative under pressure
• Ability to develop project plans, manage delivery commitments, and generate and present deliverables to Aerospace management and program offices and customers
• Strong people management, interpersonal, and communications skills and ability to work effectively with customers, Aerospace program offices, and contractors
• Available to travel domestically<