Systems Director - Advanced Technology and Concepts Department (ATC)

The Aerospace Corporation•Kirtland AFB, NM

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Systems Director for the Advanced Technology and Concepts Department (ATC) within the Advanced Warfare Directorate leads Aerospace’s 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; supporting and overseeing technology development programs; and developing missions, systems engineering, and operations plans for technology demonstrations, space experiments, and prototypes. The role supports the Defense Systems Group, which provides analysis-based decision support and technical expertise across national security space programs and the broader national space enterprise. The director leads a team of 5–10 employees and helps manage technical operating plans, budgets, staffing and workforce needs, personnel development, technical positions, performance evaluations, and customer interactions. The position works with senior customer personnel and multidisciplinary teams across government, military, industry, FFRDCs, and National Laboratories. It requires full-time, on-site work at Aerospace’s Kirtland AFB facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with occasional travel.

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 independently and proactively with senior customer personnel on technical, programmatic, and administrative matters in a customer field-office environment.
Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including experience presenting and writing technical information.
Occasional travel is required.
Active Top Secret/SCI clearance or current SSBI.
U.S. citizenship required to obtain a security clearance.
Ability to work full-time on-site at the Kirtland AFB facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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 executing programs from acquisition strategy and proposal development through source-selection support, program design, development, integration and test, launch and early orbit, and operations.
Strong personal technical reputation and a record of technical achievement.
Program-office and management experience.
Demonstrated ability to form and lead small, high-performance teams.
Working knowledge of expertise across Aerospace, especially subject-matter experts and laboratory operations, and the ability to apply it to customer needs.

Responsibilities

Help position Aerospace as the FFRDC of choice for the Space Force and AFRL by providing high-value program contributions.
Integrate Aerospace knowledge and analysis to provide responsive recommendations to customer leadership across current and new programs.
Coordinate across organizations, management, and customers to ensure timely, high-quality delivery of strategies, analyses, risk assessments, and recommendations.
Leverage Aerospace capabilities and functions to execute the mission portfolio through virtual teaming, backplane engagement, and ETG matrix support.
Collaborate with military, government civilian, prime contractor, SE&I contractor, FFRDC, and National Laboratory personnel.
Work with Aerospace Labs, communities, and internal development projects to foster collaboration with AFRL projects.
Manage a team of 5–10 employees and assist with technical operating plans, budget control, staffing, workforce needs, personnel development, technical positions, performance evaluations, and customer interactions.
Participate in customer senior decision forums and elevate Aerospace’s strategic value through objective evaluation of mission designs, technical advice on Space-focused acquisitions, and support to integration and launch.
Anticipate customer needs and develop an agile regional-office workforce that can respond to growth.
Manage program-office team level-of-effort allocations and ETG reach-back.
Provide technical and program-management support across technology development, mission development, systems engineering, operations planning, demonstrations, experiments, and prototypes.

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.
Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.