Associate Systems Director – Systems for Defensive Cybersecurity Operations for Space (DCO-S)

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.

At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.

Aerospace’s Space Domain Superiority Directorate within the Aerospace Special Programs Division supports a broad portfolio of missions for the United States Space Force (USSF). You will lead an Aerospace team in working with the USSF to provide systems that enable Guardians to defend USSF missions.

You’ll be part of an integrated operations and acquisitions team that defines, procures, integrates, and deploys technical cybersecurity solutions to ground and space segments of USSF mission systems. Examples of USSF mission systems are the Global Positioning System (GPS), the Satellite Control Network (SCN), the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS), and Military Satellite Communication (MILSATCOM) systems. The USSF operations organization responsible for space mission cybersecurity is Space Operations Command (SpOC)/Space Delta 6 (DEL 6). The USSF acquisitions organization responsible for space mission cybersecurity is Space Systems Command/Cyber Operations Branch (SSC/SZYO). You’ll be the Aerospace counterpart for the USSF materiel leader of SSC/SZYO.

For organizational context, the SSC/SZYO Cyber Operations Branch is a branch of the Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) Systems Delta (SSC/SZY). The USSF Director of the EW Systems Delta and the Aerospace Systems Director work from the Aerospace El Segundo campus of the Los Angeles Air Force Base. The EW Systems Delta is an acquisition delta within the SSC Space Domain Awareness & Combat Power (SSC/SZ) Program Executive Office (PEO).

Work Model

This is an interactive, government-facing role that requires you to be 100% in-person with the government during work hours. The primary work site is 1050 Newport Road, Colorado Springs. During the week, you may frequently collaborate with Space Delta 6 at 9910 Federal Dr, Colorado Springs. You’ll periodically visit Schriever Space Force Base (SFB), Buckley SFB, Peterson SFB, and Cheyenne Mountain. Some air travel is required. Air travel is expected to be around a few days per month, with variances from month-to-month depending on mission needs.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Deliver results by empowering and delegating to an Aerospace team that will work with the USSF to identify prioritized cybersecurity needs and provide technical solutions
• Engage with impact by effectively collaborating with others across the USSF, Aerospace, and other contractors to achieve optimal solutions and efficiencies
• Lead change by helping to align stakeholders on closure for courses of action and baseline plans that will improve the cybersecurity posture of USSF mission systems
• Operate strategically by helping the government decide on solutions for which the cost and schedule of the solution is appropriate to the mission risk it addresses
• Foster innovation by encouraging and listening to diverse perspectives, ideas, and feedback
• Provide candid, timely, and tactful feedback to optimize performance at an enterprise scale and to help individuals improve their performance
• Effectively communicate with government stakeholders and Aerospace management on progress, plans, and system details through briefings and writing that is clear, concise, and professional
• Help create and manage to an Aerospace workforce and budget plan each year
• Ensure an Aerospace talent pipeline by identifying, hiring, mentoring, and preparing talent for career growth experiences

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in cybersecurity, computer science, electrical engineering, or another related technical field
• 12 or more years of increasingly responsible relevant professional experience
• Experience with cybersecurity technologies for prevention, detection, monitoring, and response
• This position requires an active TS/SCI security clearance and the ability to be granted and maintain accesses to Special Access Programs. Clearances and accesses are issued by the US government. US citizenship is a minimum requirement to obtain a security clearance and receive additional accesses

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• An advanced degree in a relevant technical area
• Previous experience leading highly technical teams
• Experience with analysis of competing cybersecurity tools leading to tool selection and organizational buy-in
• Current or previous accesses to Special Access Programs

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.  The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below.  Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills. 

(Min - Mid - Max)

$123,000 - $179,500 - $230,000

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change   
• Engage with Impact   
• Foster Innovation   
• Deliver Results  

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.  A few highlights include:

• 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

We are all unique, from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.