Director RADAR Processing and Analysis Department

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.   

The Radar Processing and Analysis Department (RPAD) resides within ESD and is in Chantilly, VA.  RPAD teams on multiple projects with its sister organization in ESD, the Radar and Signal Systems Department (RSSD) in El Segundo, CA.  RPAD and RSSD specialize in solving technical challenges covering Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) image formation processing, Radar system modeling (antenna modeling, transmit and receive chain modeling, etc.), Moving Target Indication (MTI), maritime surveillance, electronic warfare, signal processing, and algorithm development for advanced SAR image products. 

Work Model  

This is a full-time position based in Chantilly, Va which requires 100% onsite work.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Develop and lead the execution of the RPAD department and its vision and strategy to grow agile and expert staff while increasing the department’s value and impact to current and future remote sensing mission areas for national security space customers.
• Ensure a healthy organization by consistent engagement with staff on project status, business needs, mentoring, professional career goals and well-being.
• Develop strong and mutually supportive relationships with program office personnel and their customers to understand their current and future mission needs and work with them to deliver actionable solutions.
• Responsible for recruitment, development, compensation strategies, engagement, performance management, and retention of staff members.
• Build, maintain, and drive high-performing cross-organizational teams across the Engineering Technology Group. 
• Maintain department focus on 1) technical leadership in digital signal processing of SAR systems and planning and execution of radar systems solutions throughout their design, development and testing phases, 2) exploration of unique solutions and efficient implementations of signal processing algorithms for challenging space-based radar missions and ground radars 3) characterization of end-to-end RF system performance using modeling and simulation against a variety of design and mission trades, 4) supporting the strategic M&S, enterprise integration and digital engineering corporate initiatives.  
• Responsible for driving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives across department to ensure enhanced recruitment, engagement, development, and retention of diverse talent within the department and across the enterprise.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field or equivalent is required
• Typically, 10 years of applicable professional or educational experience with remote-sensing systems is required
• Demonstrated success in developing staff, leading multi-disciplinary teams, and building /sustaining collaboration across organization boundaries
• Experience with performance modeling of SAR and/or Radar remote sensing systems
• Experience with SAR image processing and analysis, product quality metrics, and/or SAR data simulation
• Experience with project leadership and demonstrated ability to initiate, and lead team efforts
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to influence a technical organization
• Strong leadership skills to include personnel management experience, communication skills, and a passion for remote sensing
• Cross-functional collaboration and leadership skills, with the ability to make critical decisions and influence others
• Willing to travel domestically up to 10%
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance, which is issued by the US 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:

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree in a STEM field or equivalent.
• Previous management experience including staff recruitment and development, performance management, conflict resolution, organizational planning, resource management, and cultivating customer relationships.
• Direct experience supporting DoD, IC and/or C&C remote-sensing programs in one or more of the multiple technical areas covered by the department.
• Subject-matter expertise with SAR and/or Radar systems and missions, key customers/stakeholders, and demonstrated success working across the customer enterprise.

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.