Principal Director, Capability Transformation

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.

Digital Innovation Division (DID) is accountable for generating and executing integrated strategies, providing governance, and managing internal investments associated with four technical pillars that form the foundation of Aerospace's digital transformation. 

As the Principal Director for Capability Transformation, you will report directly to the General Manager, Digital Innovation Division.  You will be accountable for leading a team that sets strategies, defines investments, and organizes resources to develop, modernize, modularize, and integrate corporate capabilities that enable Aerospace’s direct support to its mission partners, including national security space, civil and commercial agencies, and other customers.  These capabilities include stand-alone and distributed modeling and simulation, engineering and analysis tools, and workflow automation.

Work Model: 100% onsite or hybrid (4 days per week on site); Chantilly, VA, Colorado Springs, CO, or El Segundo, CA.

  

What You’ll Be Doing

• You will lead and evolve the current corporate capability transformation strategies.

• You will partner with all Engineering Group divisions, customer-facing organizations, and the Office of the Chief Technology Officer to  develop, set priorities, and execute implementation plans.

• You will develop, manage, and be accountable for a multi-year, multi-million-dollar portfolio that spans indirect labor and direct customer investments.

• You will evolve and execute a governance model that will provide the oversight and resourcing necessary to address technical debt and deliver innovation to meet current and emerging customer needs.

• You will establish requirements across the other pillars of our digital transformation (e.g. Mission IT, Data and Software Operations, Artificial Intelligence Integration).

• You will facilitate adoption of best practices and standards required to transform culture.

• You will build a team of Capability Transformation practitioners that include both direct reports and matrix support.

• You will maintain awareness and build collaborations across customers, industry, academia, vendors, and other FFRDCs/UARCs.

What You Need to be Successful Principal Director

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM or other technical discipline.

• Typically, 12 years’ relative and progressive experience.

• Experience and knowledge across modeling, simulation, and analysis domains (e.g. live, virtual, constructive) including both standalone and distributed/integrated architectures.

• Experience and knowledge with multidisciplinary engineering and analysis tools, and workflow automation approaches.

• Demonstrated experience leading by influence and through ambiguity to adjudicate competing priorities and overcome cultural challenges.

• Position requires a current TS/SCI security 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:

• Advance degree in STEM or other technical discipline.

• Experience and knowledge implementing capability from the component to campaign level (e.g. M&S pyramid), throughout the acquisition lifecycle.

• Demonstrated experience interfacing with the C-suite to include the ability develop high-level stories that communicate your team's measurable impact against strategic goals.

• Current DoD TS and SSBI/SCI Clearance.

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 - Max)

$240,000 - $280,000

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.