Flight Operations and Integration Engineering Systems Director

The Aerospace Corporation•Kirtland, NM

1d•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. The Flight Operations Integration & Engineering (FIE) Department within the Space Innovation Directorate (SID) provides ground architecture and mission operations support at the Space System Command (SSC) Systems Delta 89 (SYD89) Innovation and Prototyping (SD) Research Development Test & Engineering Support Complex (RSC). This Systems Director leads the Aerospace team supporting the Ground (SDG) and Operations (SDX) Group. This includes technical support for mission development and vehicle to ground system integration, as well as providing engineering support and contractor oversight of the acquisition and evolution of telemetry, tracking and control systems and technical support for operations readiness and on-orbit operations. FIE provides technical advisement on key prototyping technologies and operational concepts using a Multi-Mission Satellite Operations Center with multiple stakeholders and partners. The selected candidate will be required to work full time, on-site at our customer facility located on Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Requirements

Bachelors of Science degree in engineering, mathematics, or physical sciences
12 or more years of progressively responsible experience in systems engineering or program management
Demonstrated ability to form and lead teams
Demonstrated ability to work in a highly dynamic Program Office environment with a mix of government, FFRDC, and SETA personnel
Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills; experience presenting and writing technical information
Travel is required
Current TS/SCI security clearance issued by the US government is required including eligibility for Special Access Programs.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in technical discipline (engineering, science or math)
Experience with program execution from initiation of acquisition strategy and proposal development through source selection support; to program design, development, integration and test; to launch and early orbit; continuing through operations.
An excellent personal technical reputation and a record of personal technical achievement
Program office and management experience
Working knowledge of expertise from across the Aerospace corporation, especially subject matter experts and laboratory operations with the ability to support customer needs

Responsibilities

Assist in positioning Aerospace as the FFRDC of choice for SSC/SYD89 by providing the highest value in our program contributions
Understand and ensure implementation of requirements for Enterprise Ground Services ground system design, prototype and test, initial flight checkout for SSC, Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SpRCO), Air Force Research Laboratories (AFRL), and other missions, flight operations, and operational transition support
Integration of Aerospace knowledge and analysis to provide responsive recommendations to the customer leadership for on-going programs and new programs added to the flight portfolio
Actively communicate and coordinate with counterpart organizations, management, and customers to ensure timely, high-quality development and delivery of strategies, analyses, risk assessments and recommendations
Integrate and leverage all aspects/functions/capability of the Aerospace Corporation in executing the mission portfolio through virtual teaming, backplane engagement, ETG matrix, etc.
Work closely with members of a diverse team of military, government civilians, prime contractors, SE&I contractors, FFRDCs and National Laboratories
Manage a team of 5-10 high-performing employees and assist with the management of the technical operating plans, budget control, staffing, workforce needs, personnel development, technical positions, performance evaluations and customer interactions
Actively participate in customer senior decision forums
Assist with anticipating the customer needs and create an agile workforce at a regional office that can respond efficiently to growth
Manage allocations of hours (PTS) as a resource to include ETG reach-back to successfully support the customer

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