Systems Director – GEOINT Development Office/Space Vehicle Department

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.

The Imagery Program Division’s GEOINT Development Office (GDO) is seeking a Systems Director to lead the Space Vehicle engineering team on the nation’s flagship national security space program.  In this unique leadership position, you will be responsible for the design, build and test of all bus subsystems on the spacecraft for a premier national program.  You will manage a bicoastal team working with the customer and other contractors to define requirements, analyze design and performance, resolve design and manufacturing and test issues, oversee subsystem testing and integration into the space vehicle, and monitor vehicle level testing performed at the prime contractor.  The work of the Space Vehicle department plays a critical role in ensuring that mission performance meets user needs and the system will integrate into the customer/user mission enterprise.

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

What You’ll Be Doing

- Serve as the primary link between the Government Space Vehicle Division Lead and the Aerospace team.
- Manage engineering activities related to design, manufacture and test of spacecraft bus subsystems, subsystem integration into the space vehicle, satellite launch and initialization of bus subsystems, and failure analysis and anomaly resolution during the build cycle and operations.
- Work directly with customers to identify engineering support needs for hardware in various stages of acquisition, establish priorities, define budgets, and manage resources.
- Ensure effective collaboration and communication across GDO, related program offices and Aerospace Engineering & Technology Group (ETG) staff
- Engage Aerospace ETG matrix support for design, build, test and integration, launch and initialization engineering support
- Maintain a world-class diverse systems engineering staff and facilitate staff development.
- Keep customers informed about issues/risks/concerns and recommend mitigation approaches.
- When necessary, coordinate across Aerospace, SETA, and customer teams from other organizations to create enterprise solutions.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Systems Director - Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering :

- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering, mathematics, science, or related technical discipline.
- Minimum of 12 years of experience with progressively increasing responsibility.
- Experience in spacecraft bus subsystem engineering, development, test, launch and initialization, and failure analysis and anomaly resolution.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with a broad range of customers, technologists, program managers, system engineers, and senior government leadership. Also, demonstrated tact and flexibility in dealing with challenging personalities.
- Willing to travel domestically (1-2 weeks per month).
- This position requires a current and active TS/SCI security clearance and polygraph, which is issued by the US 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 relevant engineering or remote sensing field.
- Familiarity with a broad range of spacecraft bus subsystems (EPS, C&DH, ACS, FSW, Comm, Propulsion, Structures, Mechanisms, Thermal Control)
- Understanding of processes for electronics manufacturing, test and troubleshooting
- Understanding of space systems test
- Knowledge of Aerospace corporate mission assurance processes and tools
- Existing working relationships with relevant Aerospace matrix engineering organizations to quickly bring resources to address customer needs
- Previous spacecraft systems engineering experience in requirements development, design, build, and test of subsystem hardware.

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)
$168,200.00 - $252,400.00

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  [email protected] . You can also review  Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal .