Systems Director - Poliferated Spacecraft

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 National Systems Group serves as the technical advisor to the Intelligence Community and its mission partners involved in the collection and distribution of national and tactical intelligence, including electronics programs, advanced technologies, ground and communications, imagery programs, and systems engineering and launch.

Imagery Programs Division's (IPD) Proliferated Systems (PS) provides technical leadership and guidance on multiple proliferated constellation major system acquisition. We need a Systems Director responsible for leading the Space Vehicle Engineering team. In this unique leadership position, you will have responsibilities touching on all aspects of the space vehicle - from the smallest piece parts through to the completed spacecraft assembly, launch, and support to initialization and operations, as well as aspects of mission performance and integration into the customer's larger mission enterprise.

You will manage a team working with the customer and other contractors to define hardware requirements, analyze hardware performance, perform specialty engineering, control parts/materials/processes, integrate designs, verify systems, integrate & test space vehicles, and operate space vehicles in a proliferated constellation.

This position requires 100% on-site work in Chantilly, VA

• Working closely with the government Integrated Product Team Program Manager counterpart and junior government personnel to scope Aerospace efforts in Parts, Materials, and Processes, Requirements Management, configuration management, unit and subsystem manufacturing, Space Vehicle integration and test, risk management, anomaly resolution, space vehicle sell-off, and proliferated constellation operations.
• Lead and manage a team providing timely, high-impact technical recommendations to guide hardware sell-off decisions, system trades, risk management, and anomaly resolution.
• Coordinate with Aerospace counterparts within and outside the organization to strategically position Aerospace to close program and Enterprise requirements risks.
• Mentoring staff and government customers in system engineering, integration, and test processes during the transition from unit to vehicle-focused efforts.
• Develop, maintain, and grow staff and engineering support personnel to address both current and future needs.
• Participate with higher management in determining organizational priorities and directing planning and engagement of Aerospace resources.
• Collaborate with SETA and contractor counterparts within scope of responsibility.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical discipline
• Twelve or more years of hardware engineering experience that includes technical leadership
• Experience with space vehicle engineering-related processes with in-depth knowledge of one or more technical engineering areas.
• Understanding of the space vehicle integration and environmental test process
• Management skills to include: team‑building, personnel development, performance management, budget and resource planning, and mentoring
• Willing to travel 1-2 times per month across the country.
• This position requires a TS/SCI and polygraph, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

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

• Broad experience in all phases of space vehicle systems acquisition from requirements specification to space vehicle integration and test to…