Human Spaceflight Enterprise 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.

Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within NASA, NOAA, and the NNSA, while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors.  

We are looking for a Human Spaceflight Enterprise Systems Director (Systems Director - Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering). This role will lead the team and work content providing technical support to NASA’s new HSF Mission Directorate, transcending Artemis, Moonbase and Leo Programs. The candidate will be responsible for providing leadership, planning, and direction of technical office staff and operations. The candidate assigns resources, determines staffing needs, and coordinates activities and operations among subordinate units. The candidate also communicates and coordinates activities to counterpart organizations, management, and customers.  

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at Marshall Space Center in Huntsville, AL.  

What You’ll Be Doing  

• Provide leadership, management as well as content integration expertise to the team supporting NASA’s Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate Team for all mission-related activities 
• Participate in provider forums for technical discussions where decisions are made related to mission risks, testing/training, requirements, and verifications 
• Coordinate, support, and manage the team to support suited technical evaluations for mission risks and execution of NASA Concepts of Operations
• Review and inform concurrence to provider-submitted verification documentation
• Identify gaps and risks in provider implementation goals and objectives with regards to mission objectives
• Inform and track mitigations to the risks at the program level(s)
• Provide Technical Authorities (TAs) with the support/assessment to effectively develop recommendations on technical issues and identify emerging issues
• Review provider's verification events and closure notices to ensure hardware meets functional requirements and alignment with mission objectives
• Work with NPD team to deliver high quality deliverables to the NASA customer  
• Conducts staff performance reviews and recommends performance improvement, career development, salary and promotion actions; establishes staffing needs and recommends reassignments, training, transfers, and other staff deployments; assists other supervisors in evaluation and assignment of staff  

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

Minimum Requirements: 

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, science, or other applicable STEM areas  
• 10 or more years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including experience in systems engineering  
• At least 5 years managing NASA contract task orders, with experience in developing statements of work, basis of estimates, and resource allocation  
• Experience briefing Center and Agency Management   
• Knowledge and understanding of the NASA program life cycle and system engineering processes  
• Proven experience in Verification & Validation and Systems Engineering & Integration  
• Ability to effectively utilize oral and written communication to express technical concepts and recommendations to personnel at all technical and managerial levels  
• Ability to work effectively and quickly in real-time environments of rapid change, conflicting requirements, and occasional pressure  
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers and lead a team of engineers  
• Willing to travel domestically  
• This position may require the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, 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 have one or more of these: 

• Advanced Science degree in engineering, science, or other applicable STEM areas  
• Knowledge of Crewed Systems and/or Spaceflight Hardware Vehicle Integration and current technology  
• Experience with Human Spaceflight testing, evaluations, and/or operations
• Experience with requirements development of NASA spacecraft systems  
• Proven expertise performing or leading technical and programmatic tasks for NASA  

• 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.