Principal Director, Enterprise Applications

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

8d•$180,800 - $271,200•Onsite

About The Position

The Principal Director, Enterprise Applications is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving the enterprise-wide strategy for IT applications, with a strong focus on ERP systems and digital transformation. This role ensures the alignment of technology and operational strategies to enhance business processes, streamline workflows, and optimize the use of data, AI and technology. Acting as a key partner to executive leadership and IT teams, the Principal Director leads the design, development, and management of secure, scalable, and innovative enterprise applications that support financial operations and strategic objectives. This position plays a pivotal role in advancing modernization, enabling cross-functional delivery, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of mission-critical systems. This role will report to the Deputy CIO/General Manager of Enterprise Information Systems (EIS) Division under the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO).

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Systems, Business, Finance, or related field is required
A minimum of (15) years of experience in ERP architecture and implementation, with 5+ years in leadership roles is required
Proven expertise in SAP Financial solutions (S/4 HANA, ECC), including end-to-end implementation management experience
Strong knowledge of SAP modules (Finance, Source-to-Pay Order-to-Cash, Hire to Retire) and supporting systems (e.g., Ariba, Concur, Dassian)
Strong project management skills, with success delivering large-scale system implementations
Experience with system integration, data governance, and automation
Demonstrated ability to define and execute ERP roadmaps aligned with business goals
Experience leading digital transformation initiatives, including cloud migration and process automation
Exceptional communication skills to translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders
Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and engage in executive leadership
This position requires 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

Experience in regulated environments (e.g., aerospace, federal) is strongly preferred
Knowledge of ITIL frameworks and ERP best practices is a value-add
Familiarity with SDLC, Agile methodologies, and DevSecOps practices is preferred

Responsibilities

Define and lead the execution of an enterprise-wide IT applications strategy, with a strong emphasis on ERP, data governance, and analytics
Develop multi-year roadmaps for application modernization and digital transformation, ensuring alignment with business objectives
Partner with executive leadership to influence digital strategies and drive enterprise innovation
Oversee the architecture, lifecycle management, and performance of ERP, HRIS, and other internally developed applications
Identify opportunities to leverage emerging technologies (e.g., AI, RPA) to optimize workflows and improve scalability
Establish governance frameworks to prioritize initiatives based on ROI and business impact
Collaborate with key stakeholders to design and implement business processes supported by technology solutions that optimize efficiencies within an integrated ERP environment
Design, govern, and maintain a high-level enterprise reporting framework that delivers consistent, accurate data across an entire organization
Integrate advanced features like robotic process automation and machine learning into existing reporting workflows
Lead cross-functional teams in delivering secure, scalable, and high-quality applications through DevSecOps practices and CI/CD methodologies
Ensure seamless system integration and interoperability across platforms
Partner with Enterprise Architecture, the Chief Data Office, and other teams to embed data governance, analytics, and security into solutions
Drive user adoption through stakeholder engagement, training, and change management initiatives
Ensure application reliability, scalability, and performance, meeting or exceeding SLAs
Establish proactive monitoring, incident management, and problem-resolution processes
Oversee lifecycle management, including upgrades, patching, and technical debt remediation
Manage and mentor a team of IT professionals, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement
Develop career paths and skill development programs to grow team competencies
Manage resource allocation, staffing plans, and vendor partnerships to meet organizational objectives
Ensure compliance with security standards, including NIST, CMMC, and corporate policies, across both classified and unclassified environments
Participate in governance forums to align application strategies with enterprise architecture and risk management frameworks
Lead transformation initiatives, driving process improvements and automation to enhance efficiency
Champion innovation by evaluating and adopting emerging technologies to drive competitive advantage
Drive results through strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and iterative optimization

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