Director, Mission Engineering Department

The Aerospace Corporation • Colorado Springs, CO

12d • 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 Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities. As part of the Enterprise Design Subdivision (EDS), the Mission Engineering Department provides technical expertise and leadership in mission engineering methods, processes, and tools to a wide range of customers, including National Security Space (NSS), defense programs, NASA, NOAA, NNSA, and others. The department evaluates customer mission-integration needs, develops end-to-end mission threads, and offers recommendations to enterprise leaders on risks, issues, and gaps, ultimately developing solutions to achieve desired mission outcomes. The Director of the Mission Engineering Department will lead these efforts, build partnerships with customers, and ensure the team is staffed with top talent to solve complex challenges.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, physics, operations research, mathematics, or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and equivalent technical experience
• Typically 10 or more years demonstrated experience leading engineering studies and analysis teams, managing/coordinating complex technical tasks among team members, and translating customer needs into actionable tasks for analysts
• Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary teams involving system design, acquisition and/or operations in one or more of the following areas: space systems, ground systems, launch systems, or operations
• Experience in hiring, supervising, developing, mentoring, and inspiring staff
• Proven ability to initiate and lead project teams, develop project plans, identify high-impact deliverables, and manage schedule commitments
• Exceptional time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and to lead cross-functional teams
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to present methods and results effectively
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, adapt quickly to change, manage ambiguity, and demonstrate initiative under pressure
• Ability to travel approximately 15-25% of the time
• This position requires a current and active TS/SCI clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government, and the ability to pass a CI Polygraph.
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• A graduate degree or extensive work experience relevant fields
• Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and/or digital engineering
• Experience collaborating with multiple Aerospace program offices and customers
• Strong interpersonal networks within Aerospace and customer organizations
• Military operations experience in the space, air, land, or sea domains
• Experience with Intelligence Community systems engineering and programmatic processes
• Experience with spacecraft, payloads, ground systems, launch systems, missile systems, nuclear weapon systems, and/or aircraft systems
• A proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with contractors, customers, and corporate staff

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the vision for the department, enhancing corporate capabilities to support customer architecture, systems-of-systems, and enterprise decisions.
• Scale the department’s capabilities through recruiting, onboarding, and developing staff via performance management, mentoring, and coaching.
• Ensure the Mission Engineering Department and related corporate activities fully leverage expertise from across Aerospace, incorporating best practices in enterprise systems engineering.
• Manage the department, including staff performance reviews, resource allocation, and personnel management, and recommend performance improvements, career development, personnel actions, and awards.
• Serve as the primary contact for program office inquiries, using mission engineering principles to define problem spaces, develop implementation plans, and identify appropriate personnel based on expertise.
• Foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, maintain robust relationships with peer organizations, and lead multi-discipline analyst teams.
• Identify new partnerships for future mission engineering growth in customer impact.
• Coordinate and manage complex technical tasks among customers, ensuring quality and accuracy of work products.
• Collaborate with subdivision leadership to cultivate an effective national organization.
• Lead technical activities, organize project teams, and execute a variety of architecture conceptualization, assessment, analysis, and mission engineering activities.

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director