Senior Ground Systems Program Manager

The Aerospace Corporation • Silver Spring, MD

1d • $155,900 - $233,900 • Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Senior Ground Systems Program Manager (Senior Project Leader- Engineering Program Management) to join the Mission Operations and Engineering Department within the Space-Based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) Directorate. This department provides Satellite Ground Services and Space Mission Systems Engineering to NOAA/NESDIS Office of Satellite Production Operations (OSPO) and other NESDIS line offices. The role involves interfacing with Aerospace and customer program management, formulating and executing major system acquisition strategies, leading enterprise-level trade studies and analysis, requirements definition/analysis, integration and test program definition, and transitioning ground-based capabilities to next-generation systems and enterprise-level service concepts. These systems support NOAA/NESDIS and its partners, as well as NASA missions. The position is onsite in Suitland, MD, Silver Spring, MD, or Greenbelt, MD, with an expectation of at least 4 days a week onsite.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited program in technical discipline
• Ten or more years of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including space and/or ground systems and a background in systems engineering, technical and project leadership in an engineering organization or program office
• Experience with NOAA, and/or NASA and/or commercial space systems and operations
• Expert-level knowledge of NOAA procurement processes and management support of moderate to large systems acquisitions
• Experience with federal acquisition policies and practices
• Demonstrated experience in large IT implementation Strategies, legacy system migration/decommissioning and ground system development, integration, operations, maintenance, sustainment
• Working knowledge of space to ground systems communications technologies and associated commercial solutions
• Ability to provide systems-based engineering and technical leadership in the areas of space and ground systems applicable to legacy and enterprise level systems
• Demonstrated skills regarding hardware and software system interactions and related technologies; real-time systems; performance analysis; systems integration issues; development methodologies (spiral, prototyping, agile, object-oriented, modeling, etc.); technology recommendations; and evaluating the impact of candidate technical approaches on all parts of a system
• Communications, presentation, and negotiation skills
• Demonstrated ability to communicate verbally and with visual media to a broad range of customers, technologists, program managers, system engineers, and senior government leadership
• Highly advanced interpersonal skills, including a demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of customers is required.
• Excellent technical written and oral communication skills are essential.
• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• May require the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced Degree in Engineering/Science with focus on Satellite Ground Systems including communications, processing, storage and distribution of satellite data and information.
• Experience supporting NOAA NESDIS organizations or NASA Goddard weather satellite programs, especially NOAA satellite operations, maintenance and sustainment at NOAA’s Satellite Operations Facility (NSOF) and Command and Data Acquisition Stations (CDAS).
• Certification in Program Management and/or Government Acquisition with emphasis on contracting
• Commercial-based services for space operations and ground station services
• Expertise/knowledge in the NOAA/NESDIS major systems acquisitions and program management policies and practices

Responsibilities

• Lead, plan, and oversee broad-based programmatic and engineering activities across multidisciplinary teams
• Advise senior government decision makers regarding acquisition strategy
• Acts as primary customer contact for program activities, leading discussions with customer management staff and technical teams on cost, schedule and technical performance to support ground and space-based services development.
• Provide technical leadership between customers' and cross-functional Aerospace technical management staff
• Coordinates and contributes to contract negotiations and changes, proposals, acquisition plans, proposal work statements and specifications, independent cost estimates and cost/benefit analysis.
• Defines and coordinate program roadmaps and integrate master schedules, identifies and resolves program problems related to resource allocation or contractual changes.
• Lead analyses & architecture/systems trade studies for future NOAA ground and space operations concepts
• Recommend cost effective solutions for future Enterprise architectures and acquisition approaches
• Plan and coordinate the Design, Integration & Test of space and ground-based solutions and the associated transition to operations
• Coordinate NOAA system migration activities and ensure partner mission integration at reasonable cost and to mitigate the risk of system obsolescence
• Advise on strategic technology directions to improve the system capabilities, product quality and reduce operational costs.
• Acts as senior mentor to team members, providing technical and programmatic guidance

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior