ICADS Ground Segment Lead (Senior Project Leader)

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

3d•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 experienced ICADS Ground Segment Lead (Senior Project Leader) to lead the U.S. National Defense Space (USNDS) Integrated Correlation and Display System (ICADS) segment, overseeing the design, development, and deployment of critical ground system supporting our NUDET space missions. This role requires a strategic technical leader with deep understanding of nuclear detection architectures, ground system architectures, software development, and cross-functional team leadership to this vital national security program. What You’ll be Doing Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of ICADS ground segment systems supporting hosted payload operations for nuclear detection sensors Develop and execute strategic roadmaps for ground system evolution and modernization Identify critical ground system development and integration decision points and milestones/events to ensure the successful transitioning of ICADS system capabilities from development to operations Participate in program status assessments and conduct independent risk assessments that inform government and Aerospace management of technical issues and recommended courses of action Provide insight into contractor system development and integration planning and execution, including system functional and performance testing for the ground, space, and combined ground-space capabilities Represent Aerospace in program meetings and technical forums such as design reviews, technical interchanges, and program management reviews Interface with government customers, mission stakeholders, and executive leadership The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility at LA Air Force Base in El Segundo, CA.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Science, or related technical field
Twelve or more years of responsible professional engineering experience, including multi-disciplinary systems engineering and/or program management environments
Experience with development, test, and fielding of ground systems
Prior engineering leadership or project management experience
Experience with modern software development processes
Proven ability to establish and maintain excellent working relationships with military, technical, and contractor teams
Exceptional communication and presentation skills
Current and active Top Secret/SCI security clearance, issued by the US government.
US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
Ability to support periodic travel (typically 1 trip per month)

Nice To Haves

Strong, hands-on knowledge of ground system architectures, especially antenna networks and advanced communications network technologies
Technical understanding of the current threat environment
NUDET (Nuclear Detonation Detection) mission experience - familiarity with detection phenomenology, data processing algorithms, and operational concepts
Experience with space-based sensing missions and operational ground systems
Modern Development Practices Agile software development methodologies - Scrum, SAFe, DevSecOps
Experience leading Agile teams and implementing iterative development processes
Familiarity with Agile at scale in government/defense environments
Cloud & Modern Infrastructure Cloud computing experience (AWS, Azure, or hybrid cloud environments)
Understanding of cloud-native architectures, containerization (Docker/Kubernetes)
Experience migrating legacy ground systems to cloud platforms
FORGE Platform Experience with FORGE (Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution) or similar ground system modernization initiatives
Knowledge of FORGE architecture, services, and implementation approaches
Understanding of multi-mission ground system frameworks
Additional Technical Skills Cybersecurity expertise and Authority to Operate (ATO) processes
Machine learning/AI applications for ground data processing
Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and practices

Responsibilities

Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of ICADS ground segment systems supporting hosted payload operations for nuclear detection sensors
Develop and execute strategic roadmaps for ground system evolution and modernization
Identify critical ground system development and integration decision points and milestones/events to ensure the successful transitioning of ICADS system capabilities from development to operations
Participate in program status assessments and conduct independent risk assessments that inform government and Aerospace management of technical issues and recommended courses of action
Provide insight into contractor system development and integration planning and execution, including system functional and performance testing for the ground, space, and combined ground-space capabilities
Represent Aerospace in program meetings and technical forums such as design reviews, technical interchanges, and program management reviews
Interface with government customers, mission stakeholders, and executive leadership

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