Senior Ground Systems Program Manager

Senior Ground Systems Program Manager (Senior Project Leader – Engineering Program Management) In this role, you will be an integral part of the Mission Operations and Engineering Department within the Space‑Based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) Directorate. The department provides satellite ground services and space mission systems engineering to NOAA/NESDIS Office of Satellite Production Operations (OSPO) and other NESDIS line offices. Your responsibilities include interfacing with Aerospace and customer program management, formulating and executing major system acquisition strategies, leading and/or performing enterprise‑level trade studies and analysis, defining and analyzing requirements, defining integration and test programs, and transitioning ground‑based capabilities to next‑generation systems and enterprise‑level service concepts for NOAA/NESDIS, NOAA partners, and NASA missions. This position is onsite in Suitland, MD, or Greenbelt, MD, with the expectation that the selected candidate will work at least 4 days a week onsite, as the business needs allow. What You’ll Be Doing Lead, plan, and oversee broad‑based programmatic and engineering activities across multidisciplinary teams. Advise senior government decision makers regarding acquisition strategy. Act as the primary customer contact for program activities, leading discussions with customer management staff and technical teams on cost, schedule, and technical performance to support ground and space‑based services development. Provide technical leadership between customers’ and cross‑functional Aerospace technical management staff. Coordinate and contribute to contract negotiations and changes, proposals, acquisition plans, proposal work statements and specifications, independent cost estimates, and cost/benefit analysis. Define and coordinate program roadmaps and integrate master schedules, identify and resolve program problems related to resource allocation or contractual changes. Lead analyses and architecture/systems trade studies for future NOAA ground and space operations concepts. Recommend cost‑effective solutions for future enterprise architectures and acquisition approaches. Plan and coordinate the design, integration, and test of space and ground‑based solutions and the associated transition to operations. Coordinate NOAA system migration activities and ensure partner mission integration at reasonable cost and to mitigate the risk of system obsolescence. Advise on strategic technology directions to improve system capabilities, product quality, and reduce operational costs. Act as a senior mentor to team members, providing technical and programmatic guidance. Minimum Requirements Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited program in a technical discipline. Ten or more years of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including space and/or ground systems and a background in systems engineering, technical and project leadership in an engineering organization or program office. Experience with NOAA, and/or NASA and/or commercial space systems and operations. Expert‑level knowledge of NOAA procurement processes and management support of moderate to large systems acquisitions. Experience with federal acquisition policies and practices. Demonstrated experience in large IT implementation strategies, legacy system migration/decommissioning and ground system development, integration, operations, and maintenance/sustainment. Working knowledge of space‑to‑ground systems communications technologies and associated commercial solutions. Ability to provide systems‑based engineering and technical leadership in the areas of space and ground systems applicable to legacy and enterprise‑level systems. Demonstrated skills regarding hardware and software system interactions and related technologies; real‑time systems; performance analysis; systems integration issues; development methodologies (spiral, prototyping, agile, object‑oriented, modeling, etc.); technology recommendations; and evaluating the impact of candidate technical approaches on all parts of a system. Communications, presentation, and negotiation skills. Excellent verbal and written communication skills to a broad range of customers, technologists, program managers, system engineers, and senior government leadership. Highly advanced interpersonal skills, including demonstrating the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of customers. Excellent technical written and oral communication skills. This position may require the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. How You Can Stand Out Advanced degree in Engineering/Science with a focus on satellite ground systems, including communications, processing, storage, and distribution of satellite data and information. Experience supporting NOAA NESDIS organizations or NASA Goddard weather satellite programs, especially NOAA satellite operations, maintenance, and sustainment at NOAA’s Satellite Operations Facility (NSOF) and Command and Data Acquisition Stations (CDAS). Certification in Program Management and/or Government Acquisition with emphasis on contracting commercial‑based services for space operations and ground station services. Expertise/knowledge in NOAA/NESDIS major systems acquisitions and program management policies and practices. Pay Range : $155,900.00 – $233,900.00 (Pay Basis: Annual). Benefits Comprehensive health care and wellness plans. Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation. Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options. 401(k) plan – 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 upon hire. Flexible spending accounts. Variable pay program for exceptional contributions. Relocation assistance. Professional growth and development programs to advance your career. Education assistance programs. An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect. 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 who requires reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at View phone number on click.appcast.io or by email at View email address on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr