Associate Director, Structures Department

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 Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; orbital mechanics; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments.  

The Structures Department within the Structural Mechanics Subdivision, Vehicle Systems Division, is seeking a Structures Department Associate Director (Associate Director – Aeronautical and Aerospace Structural Engineering) with a demonstrated record in leadership and a strong foundation in solid mechanics, practical experience in structural analysis, a passion for the space industry, and a desire to apply their expertise to help solve a variety of technical challenges facing national security space programs.   

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA., requiring at least 4 days onsite.

What You’ll Be Doing  

• Establish department objectives and goals, communicating them effectively to staff, management, and interfacing matrix organizations

• Participate with higher management in determining organizational structure, staffing needs, and resource allocation

• Participate in budget planning and allocation of resources; implement policies, practices, and operating processes

• Identify and assign functional responsibilities within sub-organizations; coordinate work activities and monitor workload, progress, and schedules to ensure completion within allocations and schedule guidelines

• Conduct staff performance reviews and recommend performance improvement, career development, salary, and promotion actions

• Promote a climate of continual learning and mentoring; serve as senior mentor for the development of early career staff by providing technical guidance and insights

• Communicate and coordinate frequently with customers to understand and identify critical needs, milestone schedules, and work progress

• Conduct work performance within customer standards and regulations; participate in day-to-day technical task planning and issue resolution as needed

• Seek and identify opportunities for additional, expanded, and new business; assist higher management in the evaluation and pursuit of new opportunities

• Develop new business connections and motivate technological innovations

• Review and approve technical work, documentation, and briefings intended for release to external customers

• Assess program risks and advise program offices and customers during certification, development, and/or operational phases of programs

• Maintain authoritative expertise in the development, analysis, and verification of space structures, with thorough knowledge of structural design criteria in combination with structural test methods

• Direct technical groups performing engineering design, analysis, and research and development activities related to structural mechanics

• Publish clarification, insight, and guidance on technical topics to assist industry in enhancing mission assurance practices or advancing the state-of-practice in structural verification and validation

What You Need to be Successful  

Minimum Requirements: 

• Bachelor's degree in engineering with a focus in structural and/or solid mechanics or a closely related field

• 10 years of applicable professional and educational experience

• Demonstrated 2+ years of people management skills, including hiring, mentoring, staff development, and administering performance reviews

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers  

• Strong technical leadership skills and a proven ability to build and lead interdisciplinary teams 

• Expert knowledge in hardware structural analysis including finite element assessment including the use Nastran, Abaqus, or other commercial finite element tools  

• Willing to travel domestically and to work off-business hours to support customer needs, approximately 20% (as required) 

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a current and active Top Secret/SCI security clearance 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 engineering with a focus in structural and/or solid mechanics or a closely related field is preferred 

• Demonstrated 5+ years of people management skills, including hiring, mentoring, staff development planning, and conducting periodic performance reviews is preferred

• Broad range of experience assessing hardware across launch, missile, and space systems 

• Technical proficiency and/or knowledge in the advancement of methodologies several of the following areas: 

  • Fracture Mechanics and Fatigue Analysis including Damage Tolerance/Safe Life Analysis and Fracture Control 

  • Additive manufacturing design integration, evaluation, and assessment 

  • Welded joint mechanical properties and analysis 

  • Nondestructive inspection criteria development 

  • Bonded and/or bolted joint failure criteria and analysis methodologies 

  • Composite structure failure criteria and analysis methodology 

  • Probabilistic analysis and uncertainty quantification 

  • Structural stability margin assessment 

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)

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 [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.