Director, Radar and Signal Systems Department

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.

The Electronics and Sensors Division (ESD) is a world-class engineering and scientific leader in electronics and remote sensing systems. Our staff includes subject matter experts across a broad range of disciplines including radio frequency; infrared; visible and spectral sensors; sensor exploitation methods; analog and digital electronics; vehicle power systems; and space system electronic parts, materials and processes. Our expertise, combined with sophisticated in-house laboratories, prototyping, modeling, and simulation capabilities, enables ESD to deliver innovative solutions to national space systems and civil customers.   

We seek a technical Director to lead the Radar and Signal Systems Department (RSSD) based in El Segundo, CA; a team that focuses on high-fidelity modeling and simulation of space-based radar sensors and development of algorithms to maximize the utility of data from radar sensing systems. RSSD teams on projects with its sister organization, the Radar Processing and Analysis Department (RPAD) in Chantilly, VA. Each day, RSSD and RPAD leverage their world-class capabilities to help solve hard problems for the United States Space Force, National Reconnaissance Office, and variety of Civil and Commercial customers.

Work Model

This position will be a hybrid work model position based in El Segundo, CA that combines 4 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as business needs allow.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading the Radar and Signal Systems Department (RSSD) by providing organizational leadership, fostering high-performing cross-organizational teams, and developing staff and technical capabilities in support of space-based radar remote sensing system development for Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community (IC), and Civil & Commercial (C&C) customers
• Maintaining group focus in 1) high-fidelity modeling and simulation of space-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and moving target indication (MTI) sensors and 2) radar processing techniques (e.g. SAR image formation, MTI, and resiliency)
• Anticipating customer future needs, understanding their hard problems, and engaging with impact to deliver actionable results
• Fostering innovation by building and sustaining technical collaborations across organizational boundaries to develop novel capabilities
• Operating strategically to initiate future capability development, grow agile and expert staff, and increase the organization’s value.
• Ensuring a healthy organization by leading the team through change and by consistent engagement with staff on project status, collaboration, business needs, mentoring, and professional goals.

What You Need to be Successful – Director, Radar and Signal Systems Department

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in a STEM field or equivalents is required
• 10 years of applicable professional or educational experience is required.
• Experience with radar phenomenology and radar remote sensing systems
• Experience in radar performance modeling and simulation or radar signals processing, encompassing use cases in SAR imaging, MTI and/or resiliency techniques
• Demonstrated success developing staff, leading multi-disciplinary teams, and building/sustaining collaboration across organization boundaries
• Prior experience in a technical or programmatic team management role
• Cross-functional collaboration and leadership skills, with the ability to make critical decisions and influence others
• Ability to travel domestically at least 6 weeks a year
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Masters or Doctorate degree in STEM
• Subject-matter expertise in radar remote sensing phenomenology, processing techniques, and/or sensing systems
• Previous people management experience including staff development, organizational planning, resource management, building and maintaining relationships with internal support organizations and external customers.
• Direct experience supporting DoD, IC and/or C&C remote-sensing programs in one or more of the mission areas covered by the department and awareness of mission area trends
• U.S. citizenship and an active Top Secret/SCI clearance issued by the US government

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 - $176,950 - $230,900

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.