Systems Director, Missile Warning Ground System 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.

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.

As part of the Space Based Sensing Division, the Ground, Exploitation and Operations Subdivision (GEOD) provides technical and programmatic support across the heritage and future Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) missile warning ground activities. We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Systems Director (Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering) for the OPIR Ground Development subdivision to support the USSF SSC Space Sensing Division in acquiring and delivering the Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) ground system. This system is an open, modular, expandable, and cyber secure application framework to support both legacy and future OPIR missions. The position requires both technical and leadership aptitudes to champion innovation on this fast moving and high-profile program. You will apply management and ground systems expertise to ensure needed resources are applied to acquisition development efforts, promoting integration of trailblazing technology, shared services, and rapid acquisition efficiencies.

Work Model

• This position requires 100% onsite work at LAAFB in El Segundo, CA., with occasional travel to Sunnyvale, CA., and Colorado (including Colorado Springs, Aurora and Boulder). Occasional teleworking is permitted as business needs allow.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing trusted technical counsel to the government program office leadership for the FORGE program

• Leading a high performing team of 9 employees at the El Segundo and multiple Colorado locations as their direct supervisor to include operating plans, budgets, staffing, workforce needs, technical tasking, people development and performance evaluations

• Integrating Aerospace’s Engineering Technology Group (ETG) corporate expertise, analysis, and knowledge to provide timely, data-driven recommendations to our customers

• Solving the customers hardest problems in the development, fielding, planning, integration, and operational employment of FORGE

• Being a leader of, and an individual contributor to specific tasks

• Ensuring the technical quality and rigor of analyses, products, counsel, and written products

• Exemplifying Aerospace corporate values of objectivity and integrity when serving as a trusted agent to our government customers

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science or related field

• 12 or more years of progressively demonstrated engineering experience, including leading multi-disciplinary system engineering teams in a program oversight environment

• Experience establishing and maintaining trusted relationships with government customers, prime and support contractors, and key stakeholders under minimal supervision

• Experience in systems engineering, testing, fielding and operations of software intensive systems.

• Willingness to travel occasionally to customer and contractor facilities approximately 1 time per month

• This position requires a current and active TS/SCI, which is issued by the US government. US citizenship is required.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced engineering or technical degree

• Experience with National Security Space (NSS) ground system architectures development, test, and operationalization

• Agile software development and agile program management in a Dev/Sec/Ops environment

• Experience with cloud deployment, migration and/or operations

• Experience working through cyber security accreditation in Space Force or DoD programs

• Knowledge of OPIR missions, systems designs and/or operations.

• Experience with creative technical and managerial problem solving under stressing conditions in order to shape the future

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.