Propulsion 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 Material 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.

Would you like to manage and mentor a team of project engineers supporting the execution of National Security Space Launches (NSSL) on SpaceX and Blue Origin launch systems? This team executes the certification process and manages Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V) of launch systems used in support of United States Space Force (USSF) National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) missions.

The Launch Systems Operations and Development team within the Launch Systems Division is seeking a well-qualified individual with demonstrated leadership abilities and exceptional communication skills to lead our propulsion systems team. As the Propulsion Systems Director, you will manage and provide leadership for a team of project engineers supporting the execution of National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions on the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch systems, and the certification and launch operations for the New Glenn launch system. This role may also include some involvement in working with SpaceX to maintain early insights into the Starship launch system to assess their capability for new mission profiles and eventual certification for NSSL launches. You will be responsible for ensuring the team consistently provides technically sound and objective assessments along with recommendations to Aerospace and USSF leadership within appropriate timelines and budget allocations for launch system certification and operational mission assurance. You will also be responsible for providing direction, mentorship and developing the technical and functional capabilities of the team while also building effective working relationships with the USSF team, contractor counterparts (e.g. SpaceX, Blue Origin and their suppliers, as well as other USG contractors), ETG, and other interested parties (e.g. NRO and NASA).

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide leadership, planning, and management of technical staff and activities
• Assign resources, determine staffing needs, and coordinate activities with customer and Aerospace leadership
• Establish and communicate organizational objectives and goals
• Work with program office and engineering to foster the development of innovative solutions to hard problems that are technically sound and objective
• Participate in strategic planning, budgeting, and resource allocation with higher level management
• Mentor staff and identify opportunities for personnel development and growth through feedback and performance evaluations
• Foster productive working relationships within the organization, with the customer, and the contractor community to facilitate identification and mitigation of mission risks
• Effectively communicate technical activities, issues, and accomplishments through reports and briefings to Aerospace, USSF, and contractor teams

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

• B.S. in mechanical engineering or related field from a recognized institution
• 12 or more years of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific experience
• Demonstrated ability to effectively and efficiently establish and maintain working relationships with all levels of customer and corporate staff
• Experience leading team(s) comprised of diversely skilled engineers and experience
• A current Secret Clearance or the ability to obtain/maintain a Secret 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 degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or related field from a recognized institution
• Previous position or experience in leadership and management role(s)
• Knowledge and experience with Aerospace launch verification and mission assurance processes
• Effective interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
• Experience with testing and/or analysis of launch vehicle systems
• Experience with systems engineering and verification of requirements
• Experience with analysis and/or testing of propulsion systems
• Experience with liquid rocket engines and/or solid rocket motors

• 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.