eLab Principal 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.

The Aerospace Corporation’s Enterprise Lab, eLab, is an organization in the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) and manages internal technical investment strategy through stewardship of the Enterprise Aerospace Technical Investment Program (ATIP), Technical and Strategic Investment Priorities (TSIP), Ventures portfolios and the University Partnership Program (UPP).  It also creates situational awareness in the Aerospace community to understand the nexus of customer needs, the external environment, and internal Aerospace capabilities. The eLab developed the (Technical) Capability Framework, and leads the overall management to ensure we are enabling internal investment and awareness in the capabilities that provide the most value to Aerospace.  

We are seeking an innovative, problem-solving Principal Director (PD) to lead the eLab, who will report to the Vice President & Chief Technology Officer (CTO), of The Aerospace Corporation. The eLab Principal Director will lead a lean organization of hands-on portfolio managers, engineers and technical staff located primarily in El Segundo, CA.  The eLab portfolio includes ~$35M technical internal investment funding, and covers hundreds of projects across the Enterprise, with over 1300+ staff engaged in the execution and delivery of capability across Aerospace. As the eLab Principal Director, you will bring your strong technical acumen, big-picture vision for impact to our customers, and the ability to drive and develop strong collaborations between Aerospace’s Engineering & Technology Group (ETG), program offices, and external customers, including SSC, NRO, the intelligence community, NASA and other partners. The eLab Principal Director will use their dynamic and collaborative leadership skills to help drive and shape technical internal investments, for the Aerospace enterprise, that are crucial to maintain our technological distinctiveness.  Given the high level of exposure to senior leadership and the corporate impact in this opportunity, you may be well equipped and positioned for future technical leadership opportunities in the company after approximately three years in the role. 

Work Model:

This full-time position will have a hybrid work schedule of 4 to 5 days working on site in either El Segundo, CA or Chantilly, VA

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Lead Enterprise Lab (eLab) in developing organizational objectives and strategy in line with OCTO and corporate goals, including management of a ~$35M internal investment portfolio, ensuring that investment strategies are well formulated and are aligned with Corporate strategy, and that deliverables meet expectations. 
• Lead development of the technical capability investment strategy for the enterprise. 
• Act as partner with OCTO leadership, ETG and Program Office leadership, and other corporate stakeholders to define technical and strategic priorities and to track both technical and financial execution plans and review/collection of portfolio metrics
• Lead oversight of eLab top-line budget for front office and portfolios, including prioritization and tracking of resources and agile reallocations as needed
• Understand, execute, and ensure delivery on CTO high priority items (e.g., emergent priorities include periodic technical capability assessment of the portfolio, and providing thought leadership around our preferred technical partnerships program)
• Manage senior level communication for eLab, including messaging to CEO, EVP, CTO, SVP/VPs, GMs, and other leaders and staff; provide inputs and/or presentations to Board of Trustees meetings
• Lead organization including setting strategy/goals, ensuring staffing meets needs (may include redefinition of roles), mentoring and developing staff, and ensuring engagement and retention of talent
• Manage high-level cross-organizational initiatives with ETG, program offices, and others

What You’ll Need to Be Successful:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical area
• Experience working effectively and proactively with a varied set of stakeholders within timelines
• Technical engineering and program management expertise
• Strong financial acumen and experience in managing dynamic budgets and project allocations
• Effective judgment and resilience and agility under pressure
• Ability to anticipate and meet emerging customer needs in order to advance Aerospace capabilities and position.
• Ability to develop effective relationships, influence and collaborate internally at all organizational levels
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to translate detailed technical information to relatable material for a broader audience
• Typically, 10 years or more of applicable professional or educational experience in space systems or related field
• Comfortable with change at both Aerospace and the customer landscape
• Proven track record working with engineering groups and new technology
• Ability to maintain a TS/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. 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:

• Advanced degree in a STEM field or equivalent is highly desirable
• Direct experience managing R&D portfolio and priorities is strongly preferred
• Exceptional ability to mentor, create teams-of-teams, and collaborate
• Experience leading groups or others to successful outcomes with and without direct authority
• Exemplary program/project management and organization skills; ability to handle multiple priorities, projects, and tasks at one time
• In-depth knowledge of the Corporation’s customers, structure, expectations, strategic and operating model plans

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 various 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 employer. 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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.