Systems Director – Next Gen OPIR GEO

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. The Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise.

About the role

The Next Gen OPIR program office is seeking an experienced Systems Director to lead the Next Gen OPIR – GEO development and operations. This leadership position will direct a multidisciplinary team responsible for the delivery of NGG satellites and play a critical role in fielding this essential infrared surveillance capability for missile warning within the national space defense architecture. The selected candidate will manage a diverse team across multiple worksites including El Segundo, CA, Sunnyvale, CA, and Denver, CO, and will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in either El Segundo or Denver.

Responsibilities

• Establish organization objectives to achieve scope, grow and develop the Aerospace team as needed, assign staff functional responsibilities, and participate with Aerospace management team in budget and resource planning and allocation
• Lead team in enterprise requirements trades and sell-off, program engagement in space enterprise level testing, and mission performance analyses
• Coordinate Aerospace team involvement in anomaly investigations and provide guidance to USSF customers
• Guide team engagement in support of baseline operational mission and supporting launch and initialization of next generation mission operations

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline
• Twelve or more years of space system acquisition or systems engineering experience that includes technical leadership
• Understanding of and experience working with a matrixed engineering organization
• Experience with space system engineering-related processes with in-depth knowledge of one or more technical engineering areas
• End-to-end knowledge of space system operations
• Program Office experience working directly with contractors and government customers
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, issued by the US government. US citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.

Qualifications

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

• Proven history supporting the USSF customer
• Ability to collaborate across government and contractor teams
• Record of advising US Government customers at critical decision milestones (technical and/or schedule), including performing risk assessments
• Participation in and leading of anomaly resolution teams
• Current Secret level clearance, addition of SCI preferred

Pay

The grade-based pay range for this job is $168,200.00 - $252,400.00 annually.

Benefits

• 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

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. 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