operations

Senior Operations and IW Leader 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.

The Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, developmental planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape future space missions across the national security space enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including United States Space Force, United States Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, Combatant Commands, as well as 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.

The Pentagon and Multi-Domain Division provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders at the highest levels of government on space architectures, policy and strategy, developmental planning, system of system engineering, and threat reduction to help shape the future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise.  As a Senior Operations and IW Leader (Senior Project Leader – Enterprise Systems Engineering) for OSD’s Principal Director, Integrated Sensing and Cyber, you will be counted on to provide independent, deeply technical advisory services that includes evaluation of ongoing government resourcing, acquisitions, and assistance with long-term strategy development. This is a significant opportunity, and one in which the successful candidate will know without any doubt, that they are directly contributing to National Defense, and having a significant impact at the very highest levels of the DoD.

 

Work Model

  • This position is 100% on-site at the Colorado Springs or Crystal City Aerospace facility

 

What You’ll Be Doing

  • The successful candidate will act as a senior principal technical authority, and provide analytical support directly in support of OUSD(R&E)’s Principal Director for Integrated Sensing & Cyber – the candidate will serve as the integration leader and/or coordinator of a team of technical contributors, which may include advanced or senior level technical/project specialists
  • Candidate will identify issues, prioritizes tasks, facilitates communications and acts as spokesperson for the working group to management and customers Candidate may have direct interface with representatives of INDOPACOM, EUCOM, USSTRATCOM, and USCYBERCOM on space-related needs and non-kinetic effects Candidate will also engage with USD(R&E) and USD(I&S) in areas focused on C-C5ISRT, particularly relating to non-kinetics
  • This candidate acts as the senior mentor to team members, providing orientation, technical guidance, and development insight. 
  • The candidate will also bring in tasks and projects from internal and external sources as they directly interface with senior government personnel
  • Serve as program advisory lead for time critical technical studies and tasks requiring appropriate level technical expertise
  • Coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to complete the studies, as well as to communicate results
  • As required, the candidate monitors and may assist in development of budgets and other resource allocations to accomplish tasks and may be given additional administrative coordination and management liaison responsibilities
  • Help develop a strategic vision for deterrence options in competition and crisis phases
  • Provide leadership and support for planning and implementation of policy, acquisition, and requirements initiatives, developing architectural alternatives, assessing system budgets and schedules and rationalizing investment portfolio
  • Interface between customer and Aerospace technical and management staffs, as needed

 

What You Need to be Successful (Senior Project Leader – Enterprise Systems Engineering)

Minimum Requirements:

  • Master’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or Information Operations with focus on cybersecurity, digital integration and intelligence, or similar focused program  
  • 12 or more years of progressively demonstrated engineering and policy experience, including multi-disciplinary system engineering in a program oversight environment
  • 10 years experience with the delivery of U.S. space combat power, to include cyber, cybersecurity, electronic warfare, information operations and space operations
  • Analytic skills to support quantified study assessments
  • Strong technical background knowledge of space systems portfolios, engineering, development, and manufacturing
  • Broad understanding of space technologies, with at least one area of technology specialization
  • Experience with creating, supporting and/or leading technical study teams examining topics of national significance
  • Proven ability to network with contractors, other government agencies, the various Aerospace program offices, and ETG to address issues and to provide the customers with the best available technical and programmatic analyses
  • Excellent written communication skills – ability to organize complex materials and concepts in clear logical manner at the executive leadership level
  • Excellent verbal communication skills – clear, concise, persuasive; build consensus through speaking and actions; polished, professional style
  • This position requires an active TS/SCI and the ability to obtain SAP accesses, which is issued by the US government.  US 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:

  • PhD in Aerospace Engineering/Physics or related relevant STEM field
  • 15 or more years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific/military, in a related field, experience
  • Understands and experience with Combatant Command joint fires
  • Understands cyber, electronic warfare and information operations effects
  • Experience with cyber mission forces
  • In depth knowledge of roles played by the Office of the Secretary of Defense; the Office of the Director of National Intelligence; USCYBERCOM; the Services, to include the Department of the Air Force, U.S. Space Force and U.S. Navy) and other government organizations in development and operations of the national security space enterprise
  • Experience collaborating across the interagency, the intelligence community, and multi-national partners in order to increase lethality, maximize survivability, and optimize performance in coalition cyberspace operations
  • Previous work in a Pentagon office, or previous experience supporting the above organizations
  • Previous experience with the National Security Agency, USCYBERCOM and other government cyber agencies
  • Experience in the operational use of space systems for DoD missions
  • Familiarity or first-hand experience with national security system procurement processes, including the Defense Acquisition System; Programming, Planning, Budgeting and Execution and the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System
  • TS//HCS-P/SI-G/TK cleared along with SAP/SAR access, or previous experience working with these classifications
  • Understanding of how The Aerospace Corporation is organized, and how to use that understanding to find and build support teams from Program Offices, ETG etc 

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)

$171,400 – $257,100

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. 

Job Overview