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.

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 Mission Engineering Department provides technical expertise and leadership in mission engineering methods, processes, and tools to a broad range of customers, including National Security Space (NSS) and other defense programs, NASA, NOAA, NNSA, and others. Members of the Mission Engineering Department evaluate and assess customer mission-integration needs and/or challenges, develop end-to-end mission threads, and provide timely advice, make recommendations to enterprise leaders on risks, issues, and gaps, and develop recommended solutions to enable desired mission outcomes. The Mission Engineering Department applies the mission-engineering tradecraft to build and analyze end-to-end effects-chains. The Senior Project Leader for Operations will focus on our building the team with essential knowledge and skills for designing and developing mission engineering artifacts related to effects chains for the space domain.

Work Model: 

This a part-time position in Colorado Springs, CO, with a hybrid work model requiring on-site and with potential for some telework, as business needs permit.

What You’ll Be Doing:   

• Integration leader by developing the Mission Engineering Department framework, process, and best practices for the department to execute and enhance corporate capabilities that inform our customers’ architecture, systems-of-systems, operations, and enterprise decisions.
• Spokesperson for the Mission Engineering Department to define the essential knowledge and skills for designing and developing mission engineering artifacts related to effects chains for the space domain.
• Define, develop, and lead a process to enhance the mission engineering tradecraft in technical, operational, and policy competencies focusing on enterprise architecture for delivering end-to-end solutions to enable effects chains.
• Develop the appropriate delivery method for various courses, programs, sessions, certifications, rotations, etc., as well as the length of each program and the required time commitments.
• Serve as a focal point for understanding the demands and where skills need to be developed/sharpened in areas like familiarity with space operations and warfighting, advanced knowledge of space mission systems and components, proficiency in mission simulation and testing, ability to perform risk analysis, and mitigation of potential mission failures.
• Foster an organizational culture that promotes innovation, diversity, and inclusion, developing and maintaining relationships with peer organizations, and creating and leading diverse teams of multi-discipline analysts and subject matter experts.
• Identify new partnerships for future mission engineering growth.
• Coordinate complex technical tasks among customers, managing resources to efficiently staff and execute projects, and ensuring quality and accuracy of work products.
• Drive the development of staff through training, mentoring, and coaching across a national organization.
• You will work closely with the broader subdivision leadership team to spearhead the mission-relevant talent development experiences needed to cultivate an effective, efficient, and cohesive national organization.

What You Need to be Successful

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, physics, operations research, mathematics, or a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and equivalent technical experience

• At least 12 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 team members. 
• 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, space warfighting, or space / military operations.
• You need exceptional time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and to organize and lead diverse, cross-functional, cross-organizational teams to execute studies and assessments.
• You need excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with customers, Aerospace program offices, and contractors.
• You need excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present methods and results effectively in briefings, formal reports, and informal communications.
• 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 mentioned above.
• Experience working in partnership with multiple Aerospace program offices, Aerospace technical experts, and customers.
• Strong interpersonal networks within Aerospace and with customer organizations that can be leveraged to establish collaboration and obtain sponsorship for / commitment to projects.
• Experience in military operations in space, air, land or sea domains.
• Experience with Intelligence Community systems engineering and programmatic processes, methods, tools, and personnel.
• Experience with spacecraft, payloads, ground systems, launch systems, missile systems, nuclear weapon systems, and/or aircraft systems.
• A proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of contractors, customers, and corporate staff.

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)

$155,900 - $233,900

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.