Digital and Physical Range Systems 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.

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. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers’ portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

In the Digital and Physical Range organization within the Space Combat Readiness Training Infrastructure Directorate, we are looking for a motivated self-starter to solve some of the customers’ most challenging problems in Space Warfighting and Training.  You will be working with PAE-Infrastructure, System Delta 81, CFC, STARCOM, and many other stakeholders in delivering operational training capabilities to the USSF Guardian warfighters.   The Digital and Physical Range Systems Director examines threats, technology trends, customer strategies; identifies, analyzes risk and proposes mitigations at the architecture, program, project, interface, or operational level. This role will be building and managing a team of technical experts in the areas of OW/EW, modeling and simulation, digital engineering, digital twins, MBSE and other related disciplines.  

The selected candidate will be required to work full time on-site at our facility in Colorado Springs, at 2424 Garden of the Gods Rd.    

What You’ll Be Doing

• Serve as the primary liaison between Physical and Digital customer divisions and SSC program offices

• Build and lead a team of Aerospace personnel charged with collectively working integration, information sharing and collaboration across SYD81, SYD85, CFC, STARCOM, SSDP, SWAC and other program offices and other key partner organizations to effect better integration and realization of capability acquisition based on force designs

• Cultivate and maintain interagency relationships with government, FFRDC, SETA, and industry partners to ensure cohesive communication channels

•  Evaluate and interpret USSF Range analytic results and capability designs to identify key gaps, problems, and opportunities for integration

• Collaborate with program offices of systems under test (SUT) to develop actionable transition plans and implementation roadmaps that incorporate warfighting design recommendations

• Provide timely, strategic communications to senior leaders on integration issues, potential risks, and opportunities for process improvements

• Proactively identify integration issues and liaison points between Infrastructure PAE teams and adjacent program offices

• Function effectively in a fast-paced environment tackling ambiguous problems with creativity and initiative

• Lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects concurrently, ensuring timely and impactful integration of program deliveries

What You Need to be Successful 
Minimum Requirements Systems Director - Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Mathematics, or a related technical field from an accredited institution

• 12 or more years of progressively responsible technical experience in space systems, programs, and systems engineering or acquisition

• Demonstrated ability to work in complex, multi-disciplinary environments and thrive in fast-paced, dynamic settings

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively present complex analytical results to senior leadership

• Proven track record of building collaborative relationships within integrated Government, FFRDC, and SETA teams

• This position requires a current Top Secret/SSBI/SCI clearance to interview, with the ability to obtain and maintain additional security clearances, which are issued by the U.S. 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 the following:

• Advanced degree in a relevant technical field.

• Extensive knowledge of SSC programs and the intricacies of system development and acquisition processes

• Prior experience with EW/OW, SYD81 initiatives and a demonstrated ability to bridge the gap between technical analysis and program implementation
• Experience in Modeling and Simulation and MBSE

• Experience developing integration plans and facilitating cross-organizational collaboration

• Working knowledge of Aerospace Engineering and Technology Group (ETG) organizations, tools, skills, and capabilities

• Demonstrated enterprise-level perspective with prior Program Office(s) and ETG experience

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.