Ground Systems Director- Operational Space Programs (OSP)

The Aerospace Corporation

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. Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs with civilian federal government agencies including NASA, USGS, NOAA, and NNSA, fully integrated with Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors. The Operational Space Programs (OSP) team, part of CSG’s NASA Programs Division (NPD), provides program management and systems engineering support to both NASA-centric and joint agency programs at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). This support spans all program phases, from concept through design, development, deployment, and operations, all program sizes, from small exploratory projects through large flagship programs, and both flight and ground systems. The selected candidate will serve as the Ground Systems Director for OSP (Systems Director - Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering), responsible for program management and systems engineering support to ground systems performing operational command and control and data processing functions for NOAA’s LEO and GEO weather satellites. In this role, you will apply your Systems Engineering skills to understand and define solutions for customers’ hard problems and your Program Management skills to organize and lead multiple Aerospace efforts to deliver results to solve these problems on schedule and within budget. This is a full-time position which requires 100% on-site work at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in engineering, science, or equivalent technical discipline
10 or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in one or more of the following areas: Spacecraft and/or Instrument Systems Engineering Ground Systems Engineering for Spaceborne Missions Mission Operations for Spaceborne Missions Integrated Mission Systems Engineering Program and/or Project Management for Spaceborne Missions
Proven success identifying, prioritizing, and resolving high-impact technical issues for government customers
Demonstrated effective formation and leadership of collaborative work teams composed of contributors from diverse sources, backgrounds, and locations
Proven ability to manage and deliver results on work team projects within cost and schedule constraints, to include proposal development, cost tracking, and status reporting
Prior experience in a managerial role with proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of contractors, customers, and corporate staff
Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site/domestically approximately 10%
This position may require the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree(s) in engineering, physical science, or equivalent technical discipline
Track record of successful resolution of ground system “hard problems” that resulted in mission success, increased efficiency, and/or reduced lifecycle costs
Programmatic, operational and/or engineering experience with NOAA ground systems, cloud-based ground systems, and/or commercial provision of ground system services
Existing positive relationship(s) with project managers at NASA GSFC and/or NOAA NESDIS
Working knowledge of Aerospace Engineering and Technology Group (ETG) skills and capabilities

Responsibilities

Provide leadership, planning, and direction to Aerospace technical staff and related business operations
Conduct staff performance reviews and recommend performance improvement, career development, salary, and promotion actions
Assign resources, determine staffing needs, and coordinate activities and operations with other Aerospace teams
Continuously engage with the LEO and GEO Ground System Government Project Managers to ascertain their highest risks and hardest problems
Team with NOAA, NASA, Aerospace, and other Contractors to resolve the risks and solve the problems
Actively oversee Aerospace work execution to ensure it meets customers’ technical requirements, delivers results, and stays within cost and schedule limits
Accomplish regular reporting to customers and Aerospace senior management on programmatic and technical elements of task execution, with focus on results and their impact on the problem(s)

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