Architecture Concepts Associate Director

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.

Enterprise Effects Division Description 

The Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a wide-ranging and dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities.

Architecture Concepts (ArCon) Department Description 

ArCon provides expertise in architecture methods, processes, and tools to an extremely broad range of customers, including National Space Security (NSS) and other defense programs, NASA, NOAA, NNSA, DHS, and others.  ArCon staff participate in and lead architecture trade studies, architecture conceptualization studies, architecture modeling tasks, and program assessment analyses at multiple levels of complexity, ranging from prototype systems to full scale acquisition systems in the space, ground, communications, and network domains.  ArCon applies disciplined system architecting principles and leads cross-functional teams to provide impactful guidance to assist our customers in making key acquisition and operations decisions.

Work Model

Work Model: This position will follow an in-person work model at one of Aerospace’s campuses in Chantilly, VA, Colorado Springs, CO, El Segundo, CA, or Huntsville, AL.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Assist the Director in managing the Architecture Concepts Department, serving as the responsible day-to-day manager for Department staff working at diverse locations on disparate problems; conducting staff performance reviews and performing other personnel management functions; managing team resources and needs; and recommending performance improvement, career development, personnel actions, and awards 

• Serve as a focal point for program office inquiries for new tasking, utilizing system architecting problem framing principles to help program offices to define the problem space, create implementation plans, and identify appropriate personnel to perform the work based on your knowledge of resources and expertise across the company 

• Build and mentor staff, serving as a role model and advisor to an exceptionally talented and highly motivated cadre of architects, analysts, and modelers and hiring summer interns, early career, and/or experienced staff as needed to meet emerging demand for Department expertise

• Direct technical activities, organize project teams, and execute independently or via teams a variety of architecture conceptualization, assessment, and modeling activities and provide decision support expertise to Aerospace program offices as a technical subject matter expert and project leader

• Help to steer and implement strategy for the Department and Subdivision, and seek, identify, and pursue opportunities for additional, expanded, and new business and assist higher management in the evaluation and pursuit of new opportunities 

What You Need To Be Successful

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant engineering discipline, science, or a related field 

• At least 10 years of experience in space, intelligence, and/or defense domains

• Experience in initiating and leading project teams, developing project plans, identifying high-impact deliverables, and managing schedule commitments

• Exceptional time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and to organize and lead cross-functional, cross-organizational teams to execute studies and assessments

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with employees, customers, Aerospace program offices, and contractors 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present methods and results effectively in briefings, formal reports, and informal communications

• Available and willing to travel domestically and/or internationally approx. 5-10%

• A current and active Top Secret/SCI security clearance issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

How You Can Stand Out

• Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) from an accredited program in a relevant engineering discipline

• Experience in hiring, supervising, mentoring, and inspiring staff

• Experience working in partnership with multiple Aerospace program offices and customers

• Strong interpersonal networks with Aerospace and customer organizations that can be leveraged to establish collaborations and obtain sponsorship for projects

• Experience in methods and processes for early life cycle systems engineering, system architecting, and US government system acquisition

• Experience with Intelligence Community systems engineering and programmatic processes, methods, tools, and personnel

• Experience with spacecraft, payloads, ground systems, launch systems, missile systems, nuclear weapon systems, and/or aircraft systems

• Experience with space system architecture conceptual design, analysis, and concurrent engineering techniques

• Experience with architecture modeling and/or descriptive system modeling for MBSE

• Experience with architecture frameworks such as the Department of Defense Architecture Framework (DoDAF) or the Unified Architecture Framework (UAF)

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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.