RPO Futures Section Manager
About The Position
The Aerospace Corporation is hiring a Section Manager to lead its RPO Futures Section within the RPO Analysis and Integration Department (RAID), part of the Enterprise Effects Division. The section explores and matures emerging technologies and develops multidisciplinary rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) analyses, tools, capabilities, and mission architectures for defense, intelligence, civil, and commercial customers. The manager will help shape Aerospace’s strategic approach to maturing and integrating emerging technologies into RPO mission solutions, including technologies such as artificial intelligence and computer vision. The role combines team leadership, customer engagement, strategic coordination, capability development, organizational enablement, and hands-on technical contribution. The position is hybrid and based in Chantilly, Virginia; Colorado Springs, Colorado; or El Segundo, California. The selected candidate is expected to work onsite at least four days per week, as business needs allow, and travel domestically approximately 10% of the time. The role requires the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in an applicable STEM area.
- Typically 8 years of applicable professional or educational experience.
- Demonstrated ability to initiate and lead team efforts, manage projects, and develop staff.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to influence a technical organization.
- Proven ability to foster collaboration across organizational lines for the strategic benefit of internal and external stakeholders.
- Willingness to travel domestically approximately 10%.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree in an applicable STEM area.
- Strong connections with NSG programs and customer base.
- Experience applying or overseeing the application of AI/ML, computer vision, autonomy, or probabilistic frameworks to flight mechanics, RPO, or mission-level analysis problems.
- Experience leading or guiding software architecture decisions and tool development efforts.
- Comfort operating in ambiguous, research-driven environments where technology directions and focus areas are still taking shape.
- Current TS/SCI, SAP, and/or RSV clearances.
Responsibilities
- Lead a geographically distributed team of analysts exploring and maturing emerging technologies.
- Align research efforts with evolving mission needs through workload management, performance assessment, mentoring, and staff development.
- Build relationships with Aerospace program offices and government customers to anticipate future mission needs and translate technology insights into customer-relevant RPO solutions and long-term engagement opportunities.
- Partner with department management to synthesize and execute RAID’s strategic vision.
- Coordinate cross-functional efforts and cross-organizational partnerships to deliver unified technical depth to customers.
- Research and review emerging technologies to evolve organizational capabilities and anticipate customer needs.
- Explore novel concepts and mission architectures across technical disciplines.
- Support staff retention, recruiting, hiring, and onboarding.
- Pursue organizational enablers, including classified IT resources and clearance portfolios.
- Contribute hands-on technical expertise across RAID’s portfolio and translate customer mission requirements into technical solutions.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
- Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
- Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options.
- 401(k) plan with a company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service, plus matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested upon hire.
- Flexible spending accounts.
- Variable pay program for exceptional contributions.
- Relocation assistance.
- Professional growth and development programs.
- Education assistance programs.
- Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
