Systems Director – Next Gen OPIR GEO

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. The Next Gen OPIR program office is seeking an experienced Systems Director to lead the Next Gen OPIR – GEO development and operations. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in space vehicle development, integration and test, launch operations, and early orbit checkout, along with strong understanding of space architecture system engineering, space-ground software integration, and space resiliency engineering. This leadership position will direct a multidisciplinary team responsible for the delivery of NGG satellites. The Systems Director will play a critical role in fielding this essential infrared surveillance capability for missile warning within the national space defense architecture. The selected candidate will manage a diverse team across multiple worksites including El Segundo, CA, Sunnyvale, CA, and Denver, CO, and will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in either El Segundo or Denver.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline
Twelve or more years of space system acquisition or systems engineering experience that includes technical leadership
Understanding of and experience working with a matrixed engineering organization
Experience with space system engineering-related processes with in-depth knowledge of one or more technical engineering areas
End-to-end knowledge of space system operations
Program Office experience working directly with contractors and government customers
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, issued by the US government.
US citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.

Nice To Haves

Proven history supporting the USSF customer
Ability to collaborate across government and contractor teams
Record of advising US Government customers at critical decision milestones (technical and/or schedule), including performing risk assessments
Participation in and leading of anomaly resolution teams
Current Secret level clearance, addition of SCI preferred

Responsibilities

Establishing organization objectives to achieve scope, growing and developing the Aerospace team as needed, assigning staff functional responsibilities, and participating with Aerospace management team in budget and resource planning and allocation
Leading team in enterprise requirements trades and sell-off, program engagement in space enterprise level testing, and mission performance analyses
Coordinating Aerospace team involvement in anomaly investigations and provide guidance to USSF customers
Guiding team engagement in support of baseline operational mission and supporting launch and initialization of next generation mission operations

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