Systems Director - Proliferated Systems

The Aerospace Corporation•Rio, VA
•$168,200 - $252,400•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 National Systems Group serves as the technical advisor to the Intelligence Community and its mission partners involved in the collection and distribution of national and tactical intelligence, including electronics programs, advanced technologies, ground and communications, imagery programs, and systems engineering and launch. Imagery Programs Division’s (IPD) Proliferated Systems (PS) Office supports multiple groundbreaking major system acquisitions, and we are looking for a Systems Director – Proliferated Systems (Systems Director – Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering) with broad space and engineering experience to contribute to a revolutionary distributed architecture system. The Systems Director will directly support the customer leads and will work alongside customer and contractor teams, leading Aerospace program office and Engineering Technology Group support to both development and production efforts which include spacecraft bus and payload design, analysis, build, integration, and test activities. The Systems Director will also coordinate enterprise integration efforts with related program offices and across the Aerospace backplane. This position requires 100% in-person work in Chantilly, VA

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s OR Advanced degree in Engineering, Science, Mathematics, or a related technical field from an accredited institution.
  • 12 or more years of progressively responsible technical experience in space systems, programs, and systems engineering or acquisition
  • Prior experience leading high-performance teams and demonstrated ability to work in complex, multi-disciplinary environments and thrive in fast-paced, dynamic settings
  • Prior experience working with the Aerospace Engineering Technology Group
  • Ability to communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and develop relationships with customers, SETA, Aerospace, and contractor personnel
  • Willing to support occasional travel (up to 1 week per month)
  • This position requires a current and active TS/SSBI/SCI security clearance and polygraph, which are issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

Nice To Haves

  • A vision for how Aerospace can effectively engage and add value on non-traditional, fast-paced, risk tolerant, high volume production programs which heavily leverage existing commercial technology and capabilities
  • Commercial or industry experience with spacecraft production, with hardware experience and depth in one or more competencies from spacecraft design, development, or assembly, integration, and test
  • Ability to apply creative solutions to non-traditional programs within contractual constraints and with limited technical insight
  • Demonstrates enterprise-level perspective with prior Program Office(s) and ETG experience
  • Outstanding communication skills and ability to work in a self-motivated and self-directed manner

Responsibilities

  • Leading an Aerospace program office and ETG team supporting the customer overseeing the design, acquisition, production, assembly, integration, test (AI&T), launch and operations of a large, distributed architecture
  • Identifying, shaping, and pursuing opportunities for Aerospace (program office and ETG) to engage in a targeted manner to add tangible value to customer and contractors alike on fast-paced, production programs
  • Understanding, examining, evaluating, and assessing the full technical architecture and design of multiple programs
  • Identifying and characterizing risks, providing perspectives and options to allow customers to make informed decisions
  • Developing and maintaining strong, effective working relationships with customers, SETA personnel, and contractor counterparts
  • Leading non-conformance, anomaly, and major technical issue response teams
  • Collaborating, developing, and presenting timely and technically accurate presentations and reports that clearly communicate analysis results and provide recommended solutions to technical leads, management, and customers
  • Mentoring Aerospace team members on leadership competencies and executive presentation skills that empower employees to achieve their goals

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
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