Systems Director - Advanced Technology and Concepts Department (ATC)

The Aerospace Corporation•Albuquerque, NM

13d•$168,200 - $252,400•Onsite

About The Position

The Systems Director for the Advanced Technology and Concepts Department (ATC) within the Advanced Warfare Directorate (AWD) leads The Aerospace Corporation team supporting cross-cutting systems engineering, strategic initiatives, and future prototype development for the Air Force Research Laboratory. The work includes assessing technology needs for future Space Force capabilities; assisting with and overseeing technology development programs; and supporting mission development, systems engineering, and operations planning for technology demonstrations, space experiments, and prototypes. The position supports the Defense Systems Group, which provides analysis-based decision support and technical expertise across national security space programs. The selected candidate is required to work full-time, on-site at the Kirtland AFB facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and will manage a team of 5–10 employees. Occasional travel is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM or closely related technical field.
At least 12 years of progressively responsible experience in systems engineering or program management within the space enterprise.
Demonstrated management and leadership skills in a program office or matrixed technical organization, including leading project teams, formulating task plans, ensuring product quality, and interacting effectively with customers, FFRDC personnel, and SETA personnel.
Ability to work in a self-motivated and directed manner with senior customer personnel on technical, programmatic, and administrative issues in a customer field-office environment.
Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including experience presenting and writing technical information.
Ability to travel occasionally.
Active Top Secret/SCI clearance or current SSBI; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Aerospace’s Engineering and Technology Group (ETG) skills and capabilities.
Knowledge of Space Force and Air Force Research Laboratory structure, leadership, and funding.
Experience with program execution from acquisition strategy and proposal development through source selection support, program design, development, integration and test, launch and early orbit, and operations.
An excellent personal technical reputation and a record of personal technical achievement.
Program office and management experience.
Demonstrated ability to form and lead small, high-performance teams.
Working knowledge of expertise across Aerospace, particularly subject matter experts and laboratory operations, and the ability to support customer needs.

Responsibilities

Help position Aerospace as the FFRDC of choice for the Space Force and AFRL by delivering high-value program contributions.
Integrate Aerospace knowledge and analysis to provide responsive recommendations to customer leadership across ongoing and new programs.
Communicate and coordinate across organizations, management, and customers to deliver strategies, analyses, risk assessments, and recommendations on time and at high quality.
Integrate and leverage Aerospace capabilities in executing the mission portfolio through virtual teaming, backplane engagement, and ETG matrix engagement.
Work with military personnel, government civilians, prime contractors, SE&I contractors, FFRDCs, National Laboratories, Aerospace Labs, and internal development projects to foster collaboration with AFRL projects.
Manage a team of 5–10 employees and support technical operating plans, budget control, staffing, workforce needs, personnel development, technical positions, performance evaluations, and customer interactions.
Participate in senior customer decision forums and elevate Aerospace’s strategic value through objective evaluation of alternative mission designs, technical advice on space-focused acquisitions, and optimized support to integration and launch.
Anticipate customer needs and build an agile regional-office workforce able to respond efficiently to growth.
Manage level-of-effort allocations for the program office team and ETG reach-back.

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 company-paid contributions 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.
An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.