Associate Director, Vehicle Engineering & Integration Department

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is hiring an Associate Director for its Vehicle Engineering & Integration Department within the Vehicle Systems Division. The role supports department leadership and contributes to organizational planning, staffing, resource allocation, and technical direction. The successful candidate will bring a strong foundation in vehicle systems engineering and leadership experience to help address technical challenges facing national security space programs. The position combines people management with technical leadership across interdisciplinary systems engineering, assembly, integration and test (AI&T), modeling and simulation, and resiliency-focused design. The Associate Director leads or co-leads technical teams and supports multidisciplinary acquisition, design, integration, and test activities for space vehicles and their interfaces with launch and ground systems. The role also involves customer engagement, risk and issue resolution, business development, staff mentoring, technical review, and matrixed program-office support. The position is based in El Segundo, California, or Chantilly, Virginia, and requires at least four days onsite. Domestic travel and work outside business hours may be needed to support customers, with travel estimated at approximately 10% as required. A current and active U.S. government Top Secret/SCI clearance, or the ability to obtain one, is required; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited program in engineering, mathematics, science, or a related field.
At least 12 years of experience in one or more of the following: mechanical design and analysis, design for manufacturing, optical-mechanical systems, environmental testing, propulsion, mechanisms, guidance and controls, thermal engineering, or structures.
At least 2 years of people-management experience, including hiring, mentoring, staff development, and administering performance reviews.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers.
Strong technical leadership skills and a proven ability to build and lead interdisciplinary teams.
Ability to conduct detailed technical analyses and apply knowledge independently with minimal guidance.
Ability to communicate effectively and develop relationships with customers, Aerospace personnel, and contractor personnel.
Skill in assembling and leading interdisciplinary teams and working across departments, divisions, and customers.
Demonstrated innovation, creativity, and initiative.
Willingness to travel domestically and work outside business hours to support customer needs, approximately 10% as required.
Current and active U.S. government Top Secret/SCI security clearance, or ability to obtain one; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in engineering, mathematics, science, or another technical discipline.
Experience in electrical integration and testing, test hardware or software, electrical design, power systems, or ground support equipment.
At least 5 years of people-management experience, including hiring, mentoring, staff development planning, and conducting periodic performance reviews.
Experience working across multiple engineering disciplines.
Experience in business development activities.
Knowledge of satellite test standards and Aerospace mission assurance.
Knowledge of Aerospace's Engineering and Technology Group capabilities and demonstrated interaction with its personnel.

Responsibilities

Support the Director and management team in establishing department objectives and communicating them to staff and matrix organizations.
Contribute to decisions about organizational structure, staffing, and resource and budget allocation.
Assign functional responsibilities to assigned teams, coordinate work activities, and monitor progress against schedules and allocations.
Conduct staff performance reviews and recommend development, promotion, and salary actions for assigned staff.
Maintain technical expertise in interdisciplinary systems engineering, AI&T, modeling and simulation, and resiliency-focused design; lead or co-lead engineering design, analysis, and R&D teams in these disciplines.
Support multidisciplinary system-level acquisition, design, integration, and test activities for space vehicles and interfaces to launch and ground systems.
Help identify, mitigate, and resolve subsystem risks and issues, emphasizing system resiliency; provide risk assessment input to program offices during development and operations.
Contribute technical guidance to advance industry practices in systems engineering, AI&T, and resiliency.
Coordinate with customers regarding needs, schedules, and progress, and maintain strong working relationships with customers and contractors.
Identify and pursue interdisciplinary project and business opportunities, including new customers and cross-divisional partnerships; support business development and technological innovation.
Review technical work, reports, and briefings for customer delivery and escalate them for approval as appropriate.
Mentor early-career and department staff and provide technical guidance across interdisciplinary engineering domains.
Help bring in tasks and projects beyond personal activities.
Participate in multidisciplinary technical teams and matrixed program-office support as needed.
Travel to contractor and vendor facilities as required.

Benefits

Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options.
401(k) plan with company-paid benefits of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service, plus matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested upon hire.
Flexible spending accounts.
Variable pay program for exceptional contributions.
Relocation assistance.
Professional growth and development programs.
Education assistance programs.
Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.