Associate Systems Director - STARS

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

1d•$168,200 - $252,400•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. STARS, the Spacelift Telemetry Acquisition and Reporting System, is a networked, distributed processing system used to acquire, process, analyze, display, and archive launch vehicle telemetry and other data for vehicle checkout and launch activities. We are seeking an Associate Systems Director to partner with the STARS Systems Director in ensuring operational continuity while strategically planning the modernization and integration of legacy infrastructure with the STARS 2.0 cloud-based platform. Reporting directly to the STARS Systems Director, you will be responsible for maintaining operational excellence across three geographically distributed facility sites while simultaneously developing and executing strategic plans to modernize infrastructure, processes, and support models. This role requires someone who can improve operational and mission readiness with forward-looking transformation initiatives. You will work closely with the Systems Director to operationalize production-ready STARS 2.0 capabilities, transition support responsibilities from development teams to operations teams, and identify gaps in resources, processes, and capabilities before they become critical issues. The ideal candidate combines technical depth (cloud platforms, DevOps, systems engineering) with strong operational leadership and strategic planning skills. You must be comfortable managing mission-critical operations while driving organizational change, building consensus across diverse stakeholder groups, and making strategic decisions that balance immediate operational needs with long-term modernization goals. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our Aerospace Technical Campus in El Segundo, CA.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field (Master's preferred)
12 or more years of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific experience in aerospace, defense, or mission-critical operations environments
Experience in leadership or management roles with operational and strategic planning responsibility
Technical background in cloud platforms, software/systems engineering, and DevOps practices sufficient to understand operational challenges and empathize with technical teams
Experience managing operations for mission-critical systems while simultaneously driving modernization or transformation initiatives
Proven ability to develop strategic plans and execute them in complex, matrixed environments
Experience with technology transitions, particularly legacy-to-modern system migrations
Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills with ability to anticipate future issues
Experience with budget management, procurement strategy, and resource allocation
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience with executive-level reporting
Demonstrated ability to make strategic operational decisions under pressure
Experience working with government or military customers
Strong leadership presence with ability to influence across organizational boundaries without direct authority
Ability to work independently, take initiative, and balance competing priorities
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance, issued by the US government. US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

3 or more years in leadership or management roles with operational and strategic planning responsibility
Prior experience in launch operations, mission assurance, or similar time-sensitive aerospace/defense programs
Experience with STARS or similar mission-critical telemetry and data processing systems
Demonstrated success leading legacy-to-cloud infrastructure migrations
Background in both systems engineering and operations management
Experience building operational support models for cloud-based platforms
Track record of identifying and addressing operational gaps before they become critical issues
Experience with DevOps transitions and building operations teams to support modern software platforms
Proven ability to drive organizational change and process improvement in technical environments
Experience managing geographically distributed teams across multiple locations
Strong technical depth in cloud platforms (AWS preferred), microservices architecture, and distributed systems
Experience with government contracting, procurement regulations, or compliance requirements
Demonstrated success in building relationships with senior government or military officials
Background in change management and organizational transformation

Responsibilities

Partner with the Systems Director to develop and execute the long-term strategic vision for STARS operations and infrastructure
Ensure operational continuity and mission-readiness across legacy STARS infrastructure and three geographically distributed facility sites (ATC, ER, WR)
Lead infrastructure modernization and process improvement initiatives, identifying gaps in resources, processes, and capabilities while anticipating future operational challenges
Lead the operationalization of new production-ready capabilities, including transitioning support from development teams to operations teams by implementing operational procedures and training programs
Develop strategies to integrate the new cloud-based analytical platform with legacy infrastructure, ensuring seamless operations during the transition
Recommend capital purchases and manage procurement strategy to support operational and modernization needs
Oversee operational coordination across multiple teams at three geographical locations working with site managers to address needs and issues
Communicate operational status and strategic progress to key stakeholders including Principal Director, General Manager, and program leadership
Support live mission operations, including availability outside of normal business hours as needed
Travel occasionally to launch sites (at least annually) to meet with stakeholders and field teams

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