Associate Principal Director – Western Range Directorate

The Aerospace Corporation•Vandenberg AFB, CA

1d•$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 Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers’ portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems. We are seeking an Associate Principal Director for our Western Range at Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB), California. This person will be the senior Aerospace leader at VSFB and will support the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) based Principal Director that has oversight of CCSFS and VSFB launch site operations. As the senior Aerospace leader at VSFB, this person will be expected to resolve problems quickly, execute processes and procedures, and work closely with leaders, colleagues and customers across the enterprise to ensure defined responsibilities are supported. This person will additionally serve as the deputy to the Principal Director for execution of all launch site support activities. This person will be required to work full-time, on-site at our VSFB office location in California.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science, Engineering or applicable technical degree
A minimum of 15 years of technical engineering experience along with a deep understanding in managing personnel and operating budgets
Proven leadership skills to manage personnel working across a broad customer base
Technical fluency in the areas of ballistic missile systems, launch site operations and infrastructure (particularly at VSFB), and mission assurance processes
Professional communication & interpersonal skills: leadership, collaboration, resiliency, strategic thinking, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, judgment, business acumen, and decision making, across all levels of the organization
Ability to handle sensitive and personnel-related information appropriately and support sensitive management functions
Ability to work cooperatively with a diverse team across multiple locations to proactively deliver innovative solutions and resolve issues with minimal direction
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in functioning in a deputy role
Familiarity with NSS launch vehicle design, processing, and launch operations
Familiarity with VSFB Space Force customer personnel
The ability to travel periodically to CCSFS
Familiarity with Aerospace corporate organizational structures, policies, processes, and practices
Experience with classified data handling
A current and active SECRET//Top SECRET//SCI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government is highly preferred. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

Focal and overall responsibility for Sentinel, Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Spacelift Telemetry Acquisition and Reporting System (STARS) facilities and operations at VSFB and CCSFS, and VSFB Infrastructure support
Budget responsibility for areas of focus as well as overall operations at VSFB
Overall responsibility and unique authority for Missile Programs Mission Assurance process
Assigned personnel management and staff compliance with Aerospace policies, processes, and practices
Provide safety and operations engineering support to the applicable program office
Work to identify and provide the right Aerospace resources to execute the focus areas
Overall responsibility for work execution within the focus areas
Coordinate with and support Space Force customer counterparts within the areas of focus
Bi-Weekly report inputs in conjunction with applicable System Director
Support to NSS Launch Programs and New Entrant Certification efforts
Administrative support for CCSFS personnel traveling to VSFB and for VSFB based personnel
Facilitate seating/office space for CCSFS traveling personnel
Facilitate seating/office space for NSS Launch Programs Tiger Team traveling personnel
Provide awareness to Principal Director and applicable Launch Program System Directors for significant VSFB infrastructure and base issues or other program issues (i.e., MDA, Sentinel etc.) that could impact NSS Launch Programs
Support meetings with VSFB Space Force personnel related to Launch Program support and provide awareness to Principal Director and applicable Launch Program System Directors for significant issues or questions
Host the Aerospace Launch Readiness Review (ALRR) for VSFB NSS Launch Program missions and coordinate with the Principal Director and applicable Launch Program System Director on date/time (Presentation developed and conducted by applicable Launch Program System Director)
As schedule allows, shadow rehearsal and day of launch operations via on-console support

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