Director, Space Vehicle Processing Engineering

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.

Preparing space vehicles for launch at the launch base is a critical element in a space mission’s life cycle involving specialized facilities, dedicated support equipment, and essential infrastructure. The Vandenberg Engineering & Acquisition Department provides the National Reconnaissance Office’s Office of Space Launch essential engineering and technical guidance to support these activities. We are looking for a Director, Space Vehicle Processing Engineering (Systems Director - Engineering Program Management) who will lead a passionate team that actively contributes to space and launch vehicle processing infrastructure system acquisition and sustainment, space vehicle processing and integration, day of launch engineering, aerospace ground equipment acquisition and sustainment, space vehicle and support equipment system safety engineering, and project development and engineering.  You will lead the team’s activities ensuring robust systems engineering rigor is applied to all efforts to provide the customer with sound technical products enabling successful launch base processing, integration and launch of the nation’s most critical space assets.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at a customer facility at Vandenberg SFB, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Serve as the primary interface to Office of Space Launch customers at Vandenberg and coordinate task definition and assignment
• Lead the team ensuring delivery of impactful systems engineering assessments and evaluations to enable 100% success of customer missions
• Ensure effective collaboration and communication across the department, the Launch Directorate, mission program offices and Aerospace Engineering & Technology Group (ETG) staff
• Lead, develop, and mentor an outstanding systems engineering team
• Manage organizational budget, resources, and team goals in response to higher-level organizational and corporate strategic direction
• Collaborate with Launch Directorate and other NSG, DSG, and ETG leaders to provide coordinated, customized deliveries to the customer
• Prepare periodic technical and programmatic reports for government and Aerospace management and support NSG and customer mission readiness reviews

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Systems Director - Engineering Program Management:

• Bachelor’s Or Advanced degree in engineering or related technical discipline
• Twelve or more years of experience in one or more of the following areas: system acquisition; systems engineering; sustaining engineering; project management/development/leadership; launch integration & test of space and/or launch vehicles
• Ability to successfully organize and lead teams and effectively communicate with a broad range of customers, colleagues, contractors, and senior government leadership
• Proactive approach to problem identification, potential solutions and recommendation formulation while working autonomously
• Demonstrated use of systems engineering principles, concepts and practices
• Experience with the elements of space vehicle launch base processing including processing facilities, air & road transport, mechanical ground support equipment, radio frequency detection/protection, and environmental monitoring
• Willingness to travel occasionally (approximately 10%)
• This position requires a current and active TS/SBI/SCI security clearance and polygraph, which is 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 had one or more of these:

• Advanced degree in relevant engineering discipline
• Experience supporting mission processing and systems acquisition in support of VSFB and/or CCSFS NRO Office of Space Launch customers
• Existing working relationships with relevant Aerospace matrix engineering organizations to quickly bring resources to address customer needs
• Program office experience with spacecraft and or launch vehicle processing planning, requirements development, project/engineering management, requirements verification and risk analysis
• Experience with launch base infrastructure planning, acquisition and sustainment
• Demonstrates 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.