Principal Director - Operational Test and Training Capability Development

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 SSC Operational Test and Training Infrastructure (OTTI) organization (SSC/TI) is responsible for integrating and synchronizing the acquisition, development, and sustainment of integrated test and training capabilities for delivery to the United States Space Force (USSF). These advanced systems provide the foundation for High-End Advanced Test, Training, and Tactics Development for all USSF Guardians. The OTTI portfolio includes enterprise systems and services providing interconnected, scalable, and distributed physical and digital ranges for full-spectrum test and training capabilities for the joint warfighter. 

This requisition seeks an experienced and highly motivated candidate to provide technical and programmatic leadership within the OTTI integrated program office to define, develop, and field operational test and training capabilities.  The Principal Director is responsible for leading the Aerospace efforts to support SSC/TI, including systems engineering, architecture planning, developing capability delivery roadmaps, engagements with various customers and users, and acquisition planning and execution.  The selected candidate will apply leadership and acquisition expertise to ensure needed capabilities are translated and applied to acquisition and development efforts, promoting integration of pioneering technology and rapid acquisition efficiencies. 

Work Model: This position is located in Colorado Springs at the 2424 Garden of the Gods facility. Daily onsite presence is expected to work with the customer and staff.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead Aerospace efforts in alignment with customer needs in the architecting, acquisition, development, integration and delivery of test and training capabilities. Direct organization resources and operation to respond effectively to those needs.
• Work closely with customer as direct counterpart to TI PEO
• Coordinate across missions and program to identify integration efficiency opportunities.
• Collaborate in a multi-disciplined and multi-organizational environment to identify programmatic, technical and integration challenges and develop timely and quality solutions.
• Provide technical status and recommendations to Aerospace and Government leadership.
• Maintain effective working relationships with customer leadership, contractors, ETG and other supporting contractors.
• Lead organization including setting strategy, goals, and expectations; developing, mentoring, and driving engagement of staff, identification and retention of talent.
• Conduct budget planning and allocation of resources, including identifying and hiring to fill needed positions and coordinating ETG support.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from accredited university in engineering or related technical subject area
• 12 or more years of experience including experience in the acquisition and development of space mission ground/software intensive systems, and/or experience in the development of modeling and simulation capabilities.
• Previous people management experience and the ability to perform resource planning, staffing, coaching and mentoring, and performance and development of team.
• Experience with building, leading, and maintaining integrated multidisciplinary mixed government, SE&I, SETA and FFRDC teams.
• Experience with processes associated with a government system acquisition and lifecycle.
• Excellent social skills enabling effective communication with customers, direct reports, colleagues, and senior management.
• Ability to travel as required (approx. 20 %)
• Active Top Secret / SCI clearance with ability to obtain Special Access (SAP) and maintain clearance, issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

It would be nice if you had one or more of these:

• Advanced academic degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, computer engineering, or a related engineering or scientific field
• Demonstrated experience with system engineering and architecting of complex programs
• Demonstrated experience in the development, integration and test of software-intensive system architectures, experience in leading the development of modeling and simulation capabilities.
• Prior management role in direct support of a government customer in program office
• Proven ability to work in fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
• Practical knowledge of USSF mission operations and training capabilities and processes to include space warfighting and wargaming.
• Prior knowledge and experience with USSF Operational Test processes and implementation.
• A working knowledge of Aerospace engineering matrix support personnel and processes and experience managing Aerospace engineering and laboratory matrix support.
• Experience integrating across multiple disparate software systems.
• Current Special Access (SAP) 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.