Advanced Capabilities Senior Project Leader

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.

Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, development planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape the future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including US Space Force, U.S Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers but also horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. DSG also assists the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

The Aerospace Space Domain Superiority Directorate, in the Special Programs Division, supports a broad array of Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power missions covering the entire threat response chain from the Space Domain Awareness function through the multidomain effects needed for space superiority. These programs include major system acquisitions for multiple ground and space segments, future architecture definition at the data/software/hardware levels, and research and technology for continuous evolution of space warfighting capabilities. You will be a Senior Project Leader reporting to the Principal Director of the Space Domain Superiority directorate. This role leads multidisciplinary technical support to advanced capability developments that have clear on-ramp paths to integrate into the portfolio of operational space superiority systems.

Work Model

This position requires 100% on site work in El Segundo, California.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Serve as the integration leader and senior mentor for multidisciplinary teams providing technical support to capability developments funded by mission partners
• Act as principal technical representative and spokesperson to mission partner government points of contact across multiple projects
• Deliver project plans and technical risk assessments to the government that integrate inputs from teams of technical experts and is coordinated across internal and external stakeholders
• Spearhead collaboration between mission partners and Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power programs to ensure effective integration into programs of record
• Initiate new collaborative relationships and develop new business opportunities, serving as a spokesperson for the mission area
• Monitor and assist in development of budgets and other resource allocations to accomplish tasks
• Lead Aerospace demonstration efforts, including xLabs projects

What You Need to be Successful – Sr. Project Leader – Systems Engineering

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical subject area
• 12 or more years of professional experience in a relevant field and 10 or more years of experience supporting National Security Space missions
• Track record of leading integrated multidisciplinary teams
• Experience leading space technology efforts
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills for interactions at all levels of corporate and government leadership
• This position requires a current and active TS/SCI government security clearance and willingness to submit to additional clearances, which is issued by the US government. US 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:

• Experience with Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power programs
• Experience leading technology or demonstration projects supporting the space superiority mission area
• Knowledge across the space control community
• A demonstrated ability to formulate technology roadmap plans based on an understanding of the current space superiority capabilities and future needs
• Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships with government stakeholders
• Demonstrated project leadership skills including planning and executing to within cost budgets and resource constraints

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)

$151,300 - $226,900

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.