Systems Director – Next Gen OPIR GEO

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.

The Next Gen OPIR program office is seeking an experienced Systems Director to lead the Next Gen OPIR – GEO development and operations. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in space vehicle development, integration and test, launch operations, and early orbit checkout, along with strong understanding of space architecture system engineering, space-ground software integration, and space resiliency engineering. This leadership position will direct a multidisciplinary team responsible for the delivery of NGG satellites. The Systems Director will play a critical role in fielding this essential infrared surveillance capability for missile warning within the national space defense architecture.

The selected candidate will manage a diverse team across multiple worksites including El Segundo, CA, Sunnyvale, CA, and Denver, CO, and will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in either El Segundo or Denver.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Establishing organization objectives to achieve scope, growing and developing the Aerospace team as needed, assigning staff functional responsibilities, and participating with Aerospace management team in budget and resource planning and allocation
• Leading team in enterprise requirements trades and sell-off, program engagement in space enterprise level testing, and mission performance analyses
• Coordinating Aerospace team involvement in anomaly investigations and provide guidance to USSF customers
• Guiding team engagement in support of baseline operational mission and supporting launch and initialization of next generation mission operations

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

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline
• Twelve or more years of space system acquisition or systems engineering experience that includes technical leadership
• Understanding of and experience working with a matrixed engineering organization
• Experience with space system engineering-related processes with in-depth knowledge of one or more technical engineering areas
• End-to-end knowledge of space system operations
• Program Office experience working directly with contractors and government customers
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, issued by the US government. US citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.

How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Proven history supporting the USSF customer
• Ability to collaborate across government and contractor teams
• Record of advising US Government customers at critical decision milestones (technical and/or schedule), including performing risk assessments
• Participation in and leading of anomaly resolution teams
• Current Secret level clearance, addition of SCI preferred

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.