Portfolio Analysis Department Associate Director

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 Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a diverse and dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities.

As part of the Enterprise Design Subdivision (EDS), the Portfolio Analysis Department (PAD) drives responsive and comprehensive trades in customer portfolios. Working closely with corporate program offices, PAD delivers portfolio decision insights that expand options for senior leaders and accelerates delivery of end effects. PAD integrates expertise, system analysis, and design capabilities from across the corporation. The (PAD Associate Director - Systems Engineering) will focus on our Intelligence Community customers to create and execute new business development strategies with those customers.z

Work Model: 

This full-time position requires 100% onsite work in Chantilly VA or El Segundo CA.

What You’ll Be Doing:   

• Contributing to development of the vision and direction for the department to execute and enhance corporate capabilities that inform our customers’ architecture, systems-of-systems, and enterprise decisions.
• Ensuring PAD activities fully leverage expertise from across Aerospace and incorporate best enterprise systems engineering practices
• Sustaining a portfolio of projects and studies with sufficient resources to ensure PAD talent and capabilities leverage the diverse analysis capabilities and expertise from across the corporation 
• Creating an organizational culture that promotes innovation, diversity, and inclusion, developing and maintaining relationships with peer organizations, creating and leading diverse teams of multi-discipline analysts
• Identifying new business activities and leading task planning and management
• Coordinating complex technical tasks among customers, managing resources to efficiently staff and execute projects, and ensuring quality and accuracy of work products
• Recruiting, on-boarding, and developing staff through formal and informal performance management, evaluation, mentoring, and coaching across a national organization to ensure thriving PAD capabilities and staff development
• Working closely with the broader subdivision leadership team to cultivate an effective, efficient, and cohesive national organization 

What You Need to be a Successful Associate Director, Portfolio Analysis Department

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, physics, operations research, mathematics, or a related field of science or engineering from an accredited institution
• At least six (6) years demonstrated experience leading engineering studies and analysis teams, managing/coordinating complex technical tasks among team members, and translating customer needs into viable instructions for analysts  
• Awareness of Systems of Systems Engineering and Enterprise Systems Engineering/Architecting technical disciplines and practices 
• Strong connections and working experience with the customer organizations resident in the National Capital Region, particularly with elements of the Intelligence Community and the Department of Defense
• Experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects
• Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary teams involving system design, acquisition and/or operations in one or more of the following areas: space systems, ground systems, launch systems, or operations
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships
• Experience with staff development and mentoring
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment, adapt quickly to change, help customers manage ambiguity, and demonstrate initiative under pressure
• Willing to travel to meet the needs of the organization and customers, approximately 10-25% of the time
• This position requires a current and active TS/SCI clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. Ability to pass a CI Polygraph is also required.   

How You Can Stand Out  

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

• A graduate degree or extensive work experience in the fields of study mentioned above
• Prior management or leadership experience in hiring, mentoring, training, or development of personnel 
• A proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of contractors, customers, and corporate staff
• Experience leading or managing a geographically distributed team, including remote employees
• Prior experience with portfolio management tools and processes
• A recognized reputation for expanding the knowledge and/or application of systems-of-systems engineering and architecting discipline, literature, tools, and processes
• Prior experience with related Aerospace architecting and design capabilities (CDC, PDST, MBSE, Digital Engineering, Mission Engineering; various performance, cost, and/or risk analysis tools, etc.)
• Experience in data science and/or complex data visualization technologies

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)

$168,200 - $252,400

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.