Systems Director - PNT Advanced Technologies and Enterprise 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 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 Aerospace Corporation is seeking a highly skilled and dynamic professional to join our team as the Systems Director for PNT Advanced Technologies and Enterprise Engineering in the Communication and Navigation Capabilities Division. As the PNT Advanced Technologies and Enterprise Engineering Systems Director, you will be the direct counterpart to the government NAVWAR & PNT Directorate Advanced Technologies branch chief and engage with the stakeholder community to recommend, develop, and evaluate technical initiatives that help pivot the Directorate portfolio towards the SWAC Force Design vision including commercial hybrid architectures, systems integration, and interoperability. This includes coordinating across the Aerospace backplane on systems analyses, threat analyses, future architecture concepts, technology assessments, commercial and systems integration, interoperability initiatives, special studies, laboratory experiments, technology demonstrations, prototyping, and pathfinders across the enterprise. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional technical communication skills, the ability to think strategically and holistically, project management expertise, and willingness and initiative to learn the PNT mission areas.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility at Los Angeles Air Force Base, CA.

What You'll Be Doing

• Serve as Aerospace Systems Director of the PNT Advanced Technologies and Enterprise Engineering, managing personnel, tasks, and budget
• Technical Communication:
  • Engage with subject matter experts in various fields to extract and distill complex technical concepts into clear and concise communications.
  • Act as a liaison between technical experts and government stakeholders to facilitate effective knowledge transfer.
  • Prepare technical reports, presentations, and documentation to convey insights effectively.
• Big-Picture Thinking:
  • Work with stakeholders and across the Aerospace backplane to develop and implement a strategic vision for the Futures area.
  • Provide thought leadership and strategic guidance to the organization.
• Project Management:
  • Lead and manage projects within the Futures area, ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery.
  • Coordinate cross-functional teams and resources to execute projects effectively.
  • Monitor project progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies.
• Commercial Exploration:
  • Explore and evaluate commercial options.
  • Collaborate with external partners and industry experts to identify commercial opportunities.
• Capability Transition:
  • Devise strategies for transitioning new capabilities and innovations into programs of record.
  • Work closely with government stakeholders to align priorities and requirements.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Systems Director - Engineering Program Management:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited program in engineering, physics, mathematics, or other applicable STEM-related fields
• 12 or more years of experience in relevant engineering field
• Experience with government acquisition processes
• Demonstrated ability to professionally engage with customers and U.S. Government
• Demonstrated and recognized leadership in PNT
• Demonstrated initiative and proven leadership in building, organizing, and leading multi-disciplinary teams to resolve complex technical issues
• Ability to effective brief senior leadership (government and Aerospace) on complex technical issues
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively and effectively with superiors, colleagues, and team members.
• Willingness to travel approximately 25%
• This position requires a current DoD Secret clearance with the ability to obtain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance, issued by the US government .

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Experience in exploring and leveraging commercial opportunities
• Experience developing and acquiring advanced technology demonstrations
• Experience developing and executing a technology roadmap
• Previous personnel management experience
• Current TS/SCI clearance

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)
$178,300.00 - $267,500.00

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 or by email at . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.