Associate Principal Director, Software Mission Solutions Subdivision (SMSS)

The Aerospace Corporation•Chantilly, VA

6d•$208,000 - $312,000•Onsite

About The Position

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. The Information Systems and Cyber Division (ISCD) is a unique engineering division partnering across the full space enterprise to advance next-generation software and AI-enabled mission capabilities. With customers spanning the DoD, Intelligence Community (IC), civil and commercial space, ISCD blends expertise in modern software engineering, AI/ML systems, data platforms and architecture, advanced cloud and edge infrastructure, cybersecurity, and full-stack development through mission-focused, collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams. These teams leverage agile software practices, hands-on prototyping, and applied R&D to support customer concepts, digital architectures, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies into mission environments. We are seeking an innovative and energetic leader to serve as both the Associate Principal Director for SMSS and the senior ISCD leader in the National Capital Region, based in Chantilly, VA. This role provides integrating leadership and strategic coordination across all ISCD subdivisions and programs in the region. The Associate Principal Director will work closely with the ISCD leadership to advance the organization's mission as the corporation's focal point for AI-enabled capabilities, modern digital infrastructure, integrating expertise across software engineering, data platforms, advanced infrastructure including cloud and edge platforms, and applied AI/ML. This role offers unparalleled access across the space enterprise to identify high-impact mission challenges, architect scalable software solutions, advance next-generation digital foundations, and apply AI at scale in support of national security, civil, and commercial space missions. Working across commercial industry, government, and academia, this Associate Principal Director will help shape how emerging software technologies and AI capabilities are rapidly adopted by a growing and increasingly innovative aerospace customer base while building and strengthening ISCD's presence and impact in the Chantilly region. Work Model This is a full-time position based in Chantilly, VA and requires 100% onsite work. What You'll Be Doing The Associate Principal Director of SMSS will serve as the senior ISCD leader in the Chantilly region, focusing on operational integration, team development, and customer engagement across all ISCD subdivisions. This leader will be instrumental in expanding Aerospace's role with East Coast customers in national security space and building partnerships across the company and community to bring the latest software engineering practices, AI technologies, and digital capabilities to our customers and internal engineering staff. Within the SMSS organization, this role will support the subdivision's mission to serve as: A technical integrator, aligning software architectures, data platforms, AI/ML pipelines, and cloud/edge infrastructure across programs A mission accelerator, rapidly applying these capabilities to customer challenges through prototypes, pilots, and deployable solutions A continuously-evolving leader in applied research, building connections to other cutting-edge organizations to accelerate innovation This Associate Principal Director position will establish operational foundation in the National Capital Region and provide integrating leadership across all ISCD activities in Chantilly to improve team development models, customer/mission connectivity, and supporting operations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, information systems, or a related STEM field
10 or more years of experience with demonstrated impact leading multidisciplinary technical teams supporting complex government or national security missions
Strong understanding of modern AI/ML systems, including model development, deployment, and lifecycle management (MLOps), as well as strengths and limitations of current AI approaches
Expertise in modern data architectures, including data platforms, data fabrics/meshes, streaming systems, analytics environments, and data governance in mission contexts
Demonstrated experience with cloud-native and hybrid infrastructure, including commercial and government cloud service providers, container platforms, orchestration, and edge computing
Proven ability to support and execute technical strategies and roadmaps that integrate AI, data, and infrastructure for complex, software-enabled missions
Strong customer-facing skills, with experience partnering with government stakeholders to translate mission needs into scalable digital solutions
Success building and leading integrated, multidisciplinary teams with a focus on reuse, scalability, and mission impact
Experience coordinating across multiple technical organizations and fostering collaborative, cross-functional environments
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
Willingness to travel occasionally to work locations or customer sites (approximately 10–20%)
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance (TS/SCI level and higher). U.S. citizenship is required

Nice To Haves

Experience establishing or growing technical organizations or operations in new geographic regions
Direct experience with modern AI systems focusing on automated reasoning, agentic AI systems/AI agents, deep reinforcement learning, or similar technologies
Hands-on experience delivering AI-enabled mission solutions, including applications such as autonomous systems, space domain awareness, cyber detection, predictive analytics, digital engineering, or physics-informed ML
Deep familiarity with secure and multi-level environments, including cross-domain architectures and AI/data deployment across classification boundaries
Exposure to space, defense, or intelligence mission areas such as space control, missile warning, remote sensing, or commercial space data exploitation
Experience managing research and development portfolios, including transitioning research into operational systems or sustained mission use
Established relationships with National Capital Region customers in DoD or Intelligence Community space programs

Responsibilities

Chantilly Regional Leadership & Integration: Serve as the senior ISCD leader in the Chantilly region, coordinating operations, facilities, infrastructure, hiring, workforce development, and strategic planning across all ISCD subdivisions
Build and strengthen relationships with DoD, Intelligence Community, and other National Capital Region customers to expand ISCD's mission portfolio and impact
Integrate ISCD Chantilly operations, including facilities coordination, resource allocation, and cross-subdivision collaboration
Collaborate as core team member with broader ISCD leadership to ensure consistent culture, technical excellence, and operational effectiveness across ISCD
SMSS Subdivision Support: Support the Principal Director in executing the organizational vision, strategy, and technical roadmap for leveraging AI to modernize software acquisition and development operations, including evaluation and adoption of emerging AI developer tools, automated software composition analysis, intelligent procurement support, and AI-enhanced DevSecOps pipelines
Lead and coordinate the prototyping and integration of AI/ML, data platforms, and cloud/edge infrastructure into cohesive, mission-ready architectures
Engage directly with customers to identify high-impact mission opportunities for AI-enabled solutions and modern digital foundations
Support the development of new business operations and mechanisms to manage high customer demand in partnership with division leadership
Advance the adoption of enterprise-grade data architectures, including data fabrics, data meshes, streaming and batch pipelines, and analytics platforms
Drive innovation toward unique customer needs for secure, cloud-native and hybrid architectures, spanning commercial cloud, government cloud, on-prem, and edge environments
Contribute to and coordinate internal research and development activities spanning AI, data platforms, and infrastructure with emphasis on operational transition – specifically for Chantilly-based customer alignment and transition opportunities
Team Development & Culture: Build, mentor, and inspire a multidisciplinary workforce spanning AI/ML, data engineering, cloud infrastructure, platform engineering, and systems integration in the Chantilly region
Foster a collaborative, inclusive culture that encourages innovation, technical excellence, and cross-division impact
Partner with Aerospace's CIO and CTO organizations to align enterprise platforms, internal tools, and infrastructure strategies with mission-facing needs

Benefits

Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
Flexible spending accounts
Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
Relocation assistance
Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
Education assistance programs
An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect