Systems Director – S4S CJFSCC and Space Operations Centers full_time

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 Enterprise and Warfighting Division, the Space Warfighting Directorate provides high-quality analytical support to the US Space Forces – Space (S4S), Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC), National Space Defense Center (NSDC), and US Space Command’s Missile Warning Center (MWC), Joint Overhead Persistent- Infrared Center (JOPC), and Joint Navigation Warfare Center’s (JNWC) Joint operations centers, advising the Government on the design, performance, operational employment and resilience of current and future space forces to integrate into the joint fight and win the next war. We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Systems Director –Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering to support the US Space Forces – Space (S4S) and US Space Command’s operational level operations centers.  The successful candidate will lead the Aerospace team and provide experience-based technical expertise and trusted counsel to S4S senior leadership on all aspects of space capabilities and theater space operations to support Combatant Command and Service Component strategic and operational planning leading to warfighting impact.

Work Model: This position requires 100% on site work in Colorado Springs, CO with regular travel to Vandenberg SFB, CA and Schriever SFB, CO. This position is not compatible with teleworking.

What You’ll Be doing

• Providing trusted technical counsel to the USSPACECOM Space Component Field Command and its operations centers on all aspects of space from initial concept through intelligence needs, force requirements, enterprise integration, and operations
• Lead a high performing and geographically separated team of 18 team of employees to include operating plans, budgets, staffing, workforce needs, personnel development, technical positions, 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 new space capabilities
• Being a leader of, and an individual contributor to, specific tasks
• Ensuring the technical quality and rigor of analyses, products, counsel, and written products.
• Teaming with the customer in creating innovation options to adopt/adapt/integrate existing and new allied, commercial, DoD and other agency space capabilities to achieve the US Space Force organize, train, and equip role and US Space Command operational missions
• Exemplify Aerospace corporate values of objectivity and integrity when serving as a trusted agent to our government customers

What You Need to be Successful – Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in science, mathematics, engineering, or closely related field
• Experience working in operations centers and direct involvement in combined operations
• Twelve or more years of dynamically responsible professional experience applicable to the position
• Demonstrated and exceptional interpersonal, teambuilding, strategic, leadership and communication skills
• A strong technical background and experience in operations, systems engineering, testing, fielding and operations from a range of perspectives and domains
• Experience leading technical projects and/or teams
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with all levels of (including very senior) Government, Aerospace, and contractor personnel 
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams of engineers on multiple simultaneous efforts 
• Familiarity with space combat power, command, control, and communications and battle management
• Ability to influence outcomes with both strong verbal and written communications using objective facts, analysis, modeling & simulation, and testing results
• This position requires a current TS-SCI security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
• Ability to work in the office, this position is not compatible with telecommuting
• Ability to travel domestically (approximately 3-6 days per month, but will vary), particularly to all of the Space Forces Space/CJFSCC operational centers

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Joint Professional Military Education II/joint qualified officer highly desired
• Advanced engineering or technical degree
• Current knowledge of Command and Control (C2) and Space Control system technologies, capabilities, acquisition, and an understanding of space and ground systems development.
• Strong understanding of Aerospace management roles and responsibilities and internal corporate processes
• Ability to exploit the whole of The Aerospace Corporation in support of multiple simultaneous efforts
• Understanding of USSF (HQ and all subordinate organizations) and USSPACECOM space component roles, responsibilities, and functions
• Familiarity with space tactical mission operations and operational-level command and control in a joint warfighting environment
• Experience working with USSPACECOM, USSF, SSC, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and/or the Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
• Experience with commercial and Allied coalition capability integration with US Space Operations
• Demonstrated success in directly interfacing with senior government leadership of varying backgrounds.  Proven ability to professionally engage with all levels of customers and U.S. Government personnel
• Experience with creative technical and managerial problem solving under stressing conditions
• Current applicable Special Access Program (SAP) /Special Access Required (SAR) accesses

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.