Systems Director - Launch Mission Integration

The Aerospace Corporation•Los Angeles, CA

10h•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. The Systems Director for Launch Mission Integration (Systems Engineering and Mission Assurance Engineering job family) will manage the Launch Mission Integration & Mission Manifest Office (MMO) Department within the Launch Systems Division. This department is responsible for NSS spacecraft-to-launch vehicle integration, working across Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, Vulcan, and NSSL New Entrant launch vehicles. The selected individual will have the responsibility to staff, plan, budget, and manage Aerospace support to the Space Access program, formerly Assured Access to Space (AATS), and the SSC / SYD80 Mission Integration Directorate (SSC/SYD80/AMI). This position offers an opportunity to reshape the mission integration and launch manifest processes to align with the current and projected future state of NSS launch. In addition to direct support of mission integration, the team also provides technical support in creating mission sets for future missions, verifies adequacy of Do-No-Harm assessments on multi-manifest missions, implements strategies for improving launch agility, and serves as the primary interface between launch vehicle and spacecraft program offices and their respective contractors for USSF and NRO spacecraft. The director must be able to work effectively with customer personnel at all levels, and establish and maintain excellent working relationships with contractor, customer and Aerospace personnel across multiple organizations. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA, at LAAFB in the SSC/SYD80 Program Office, part of a customer-facing team.

Requirements

BS in Engineering or Science degree required
12 or more years of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific experience
Proven leadership ability to think outside of the box to evolve processes
Demonstrated effective written and verbal communication skills to differing levels of an organization
Experience leading teams of experienced engineers
Well-grounded in a variety of technical disciplines associated with spacecraft and launch vehicles
Familiarity with the LV-SV mission integration processes
Familiarity with NSSL vehicle families and DoD/NRO spacecraft requirements and processes
Experience working with contractor personnel, mission partners, and across Aerospace organizations
Ability to balance technical details and broader programmatic issues
Current DoD Secret clearance , issued by the US government. US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance , issued by the US government. US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in a relevant engineering field
Direct experience with spacecraft-launch vehicle integration
Experience in managing engineering teams
Significant familiarity with NSSL vehicle families (Falcon 9/Heavy, Vulcan, New Glenn, New Entrants) and DoD/NRO spacecraft requirements and processes
Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced program office
Experience in Aerospace mission assurance processes
Current TS/SCI/SAP clearance

Responsibilities

Evaluate staff performance, identify staffing needs, and develop the organization as required
Work collaboratively with management across Launch, Missiles, and Mobility (LMM) to ensure outstanding Aerospace support to SSC and NRO launch programs
Serve as the primary interface between launch vehicle and spacecraft program offices and their respective contractors for USSF and NRO spacecraft
Develop, flow-down and verify launch service requirements, and ensure LV hardware and launch services successfully fulfill mission requirements
Work with launch vehicle programs, Engineering and Technology Group (ETG), and the launch sites to ensure launch systems meet all mission requirements
Manage mission verification activities leading up to the day of launch
Support launch rehearsals and day of launch activities
Support the maintenance and updates to NSSL program requirements, including the Standard Interface Specification (SIS) and System Performance Requirements Document (SPRD)
Develop and incorporate mission integration and multi-manifest requirements and strategy into program planning for future launch service acquisitions
Form and lead teams that work across functional organizations.
Establish effective working relationships with spacecraft programs and launch vehicle and space vehicle contractors
Work effectively with customer personnel at all levels.
Work with the Space Force to prepare and execute competitive launch service acquisitions

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