Systems Director – GEOINT Futures and Architecture

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.

The National Geospatial Programs subdivision (NGP) serves as the technical and programmatic advisor to the National Geospatial-Intelligence (GEOINT) Agency (NGA) and other mission partners involved in the end-to-end GEOINT mission. Join us and become a leader charged with enabling NGA in its efforts to define the future of the GEOINT Enterprise and ensure NGA is postured to be the leader across the National System for Geospatial-Intelligence (NSG) and Allied System for Geospatial-Intelligence (ASG).

Aerospace is seeking an agile, motivated leader to serve as the Systems Director (Systems Director - Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering) for our support to the NGA GEOINT Functional Manager and Source Directorate. This position manages all Aerospace technical and policy advice and support to senior intelligence officers and executives within these organizations. The ideal candidate will be responsible for assigning resources, determining staffing needs, and coordinating activities across the GEOINT enterprise. They will serve as the primary liaison between Aerospace, NGA leadership, and counterpart organizations across the Intelligence Community to ensure seamless coordination and mission success.

This position is located 100% on site with the customers in Springfield, VA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead, develop and mentor a high-performing technical staff.
• Liaison with senior customers, staff, Aerospace management, NRO program offices, and the Engineering & Technology Group (ETG) to identify and fulfill customer needs, consistent with the Aerospace FFRDC role.
• Serve as the primary interface for the Aerospace NGP team with the customer and with Aerospace teams in other parts of the Intelligence Community.
• Lead technical studies that will impact future space and ground architectures.
• Collaborate with Aerospace subject matter experts, government, and SETA across the GEOINT  enterprise to close end-to-end missions.
• Maintain a working knowledge of both current and future GEOINT acquisitions programs including relevant advanced technology.
• Build and maintain relationships with other intelligence community and national security space organizations and facilitate the exchange of information and analysis.
• Identify and follow through on opportunities to inject Aerospace thought leadership and technology in support of customer mission needs.
• Bring the best of Aerospace's engineering matrix to bear in support of the portfolio, oversee all efforts in your area of responsibility, and manage organizational resources including identifying, tasking, and tracking ETG support in a manner that meets customer needs, complies with customer and Aerospace policies, and fulfills contract requirements.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Systems Director – Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering:

• Bachelor's degree or advanced degree in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or other relevant subjects.
• 12 years of progressively more responsible experience in engineering or other technical roles.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong teams and lead multidisciplinary staff to meet customer needs.
• Demonstrated knowledge regarding NGA, NRO, their common interfaces and lines of demarcation.
• Familiarity with GEOINT architectures, satellite design, systems engineering, network architectures, and/or sensor integration technologies.
• Demonstrated agility and ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced customer environment with a high degree of uncertainty.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, organization and planning skills along with strong interpersonal skills.
• Understanding of the Aerospace role and the guidelines for appropriate use of an FFRDC.
• Experience with modeling, simulation, and analysis of large-scale systems and systems of systems for developing architectures, evaluating concepts of operation, conducting analysis of alternatives, and defining requirements.
• Occasional domestic travel required (approximately 10%).
• This position requires a current and active TS/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 have one or more of these:

• An advanced degree in GEOINT-related disciplines, Science, Engineering, or Mathematics.
• At least 5 years management experience and/or team leadership experience.
• Expertise and experience in geospatial intelligence CONOPS, collection systems, architectures, operations, and the GEOINT user community.
• Experience leading complex trade-study formulation and assessments for critical national programs.
• Experience with supporting a space-related program office and facilitating reach back to obtain and coordinate technical support from the Aerospace Engineering & Technology Group and other Aerospace Program Offices.
• Understanding of the national security space environment including people, organizations, infrastructure, and capabilities in IC organizations that produce space-related intelligence.

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.