Systems Director – Adaptive Communications Technologies (ACT)

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 National Systems Group serves as the technical advisor to the Intelligence Community and its mission partners involved in the collection and distribution of national and tactical intelligence, including electronics programs, ground and communications, imagery programs, and systems engineering and launch. 

We are seeking a System Director for the Adaptive Communications Technologies group within the Enterprise Engineering subdivision of the Systems Engineering and Launch Division. In this position you will be responsible for the planning, development, staffing and operations of a new Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) facility in Chantilly, VA that will develop and deliver new communications technologies and capabilities to our customers.  In addition, you will work closely with the customer’s Technical Executive to translate required needs into capabilities that will be demonstrated and evaluated in the new RDT&E facility. 

Work Model:  This position requires 100% onsite work in Chantilly, Virginia.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Managing the RDT&E team within the SELD ACT and Aerospace’s’ Engineering Technology Group (ETG), and providing leadership and feedback to Aerospace Enterprise Matrix support (i.e., EIS, Security, Facilities, etc.)
• Managing customer relations, tasking coordination, progress reporting and deliveries
• Leading high-performing research and development teams with excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to exercise mature judgement
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with government customers and their development and support contractors
• Develop and solicit investment support from internal and external organizations
• Serving as a principal technical advisor to the customer’s leadership team
• Working with the customer to create and executing associated resource budgets and plans
• Collaborating with peer managers to provide a robust corporate backplane
• Maintaining technical currency in topics relevant to the customer’s programs
• Overseeing any construction and/or modifications to the facility in Chantilly, VA
• Directing the operations of an RDT&E facility in Chantilly, VA that is responsive to customer technology development and operations requirements
• Acquiring the necessary lab equipment to support the RDT&E activities

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, business management, or physical sciences or equivalent relevant experience
• 12 or more years of engineering and project management experience, including integration and test of space hardware
• Experience with one or more of the following:
  • Satellite Communications
  • Remote sensing
  • Systems engineering lifecycle
  • U.S. government acquisition processes
  • Strategic planning and roadmap development
  • Enterprise Architecture development
• Experience with the development of new and evolving technologies and techniques
• Experience leading high-performing teams of engineering professionals
• Ability to travel to support customer activities
• This position requires a current and active TS/SSBI/SCI security clearance and polygraph, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. 

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Direct experience in developing future Communications architectures
• Direct experience with the Systems Engineering Directorate and experience supporting the Technical Executive on other signals and communications programs
• Experience in hiring, developing, mentoring, and managing qualified staff 
• Ability to execute to resource budgets
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Direct experience with customer IC programs
• Prior experience with de