Associate Principal Director, Software Mission Solutions Subdivision (SMSS)

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 Information Systems and Cyber Division (ISCD) is a unique engineering division partnering across the full space enterprise to advance next-generation software and AI-enabled mission capabilities. With customers spanning the DoD, Intelligence Community (IC), civil and commercial space, ISCD blends expertise in modern software engineering, AI/ML systems, data platforms and architecture, advanced cloud and edge infrastructure, cybersecurity, and full-stack development through mission-focused, collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams. These teams leverage agile software practices, hands-on prototyping, and applied R&D to support customer concepts, digital architectures, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies into mission environments.

We are seeking an innovative and energetic leader to serve as both the Associate Principal Director for SMSS and the senior ISCD leader in the National Capital Region, based in Chantilly, VA. This role provides integrating leadership and strategic coordination across all ISCD subdivisions and programs in the region. The Associate Principal Director will work closely with the ISCD leadership to advance the organization's mission as the corporation's focal point for AI-enabled capabilities, modern digital infrastructure, integrating expertise across software engineering, data platforms, advanced infrastructure including cloud and edge platforms, and applied AI/ML.

This role offers unparalleled access across the space enterprise to identify high-impact mission challenges, architect scalable software solutions, advance next-generation digital foundations, and apply AI at scale in support of national security, civil, and commercial space missions. Working across commercial industry, government, and academia, this Associate Principal Director will help shape how emerging software technologies and AI capabilities are rapidly adopted by a growing and increasingly innovative aerospace customer base while building and strengthening ISCD's presence and impact in the Chantilly region.

Work Model

This is a full-time position based in Chantilly, VA and requires 100% onsite work.

What You'll Be Doing

The Associate Principal Director of SMSS will serve as the senior ISCD leader in the Chantilly region, focusing on operational integration, team development, and customer engagement across all ISCD subdivisions. This leader will be instrumental in expanding Aerospace's role with East Coast customers in national security space and building partnerships across the company and community to bring the latest software engineering practices, AI technologies, and digital capabilities to our customers and internal engineering staff.

Within the SMSS organization, this role will support the subdivision's mission to serve as:

• A technical integrator, aligning software architectures, data platforms, AI/ML pipelines, and cloud/edge infrastructure across programs
• A mission accelerator, rapidly applying these capabilities to customer challenges through prototypes, pilots, and deployable solutions
• A continuously-evolving leader in applied research, building connections to other cutting-edge organizations to accelerate innovation

This Associate Principal Director position will establish operational foundation in the National Capital Region and provide integrating leadership across all ISCD activities in Chantilly to improve team development models, customer/mission connectivity, and supporting operations.

Key responsibilities will include:

Chantilly Regional Leadership & Integration:

• Serve as the senior ISCD leader in the Chantilly region, coordinating operations, facilities, infrastructure, hiring, workforce development, and strategic planning across all ISCD subdivisions
• Build and strengthen relationships with DoD, Intelligence Community, and other National Capital Region customers to expand ISCD's mission portfolio and impact
• Integrate ISCD Chantilly operations, including facilities coordination, resource allocation, and cross-subdivision collaboration
• Collaborate as core team member with broader ISCD leadership to ensure consistent culture, technical excellence, and operational effectiveness across ISCD

SMSS Subdivision Support:

• Support the Principal Director in executing the organizational vision, strategy, and technical roadmap for leveraging AI to modernize software acquisition and development operations, including evaluation and adoption of emerging AI developer tools, automated software composition analysis, intelligent procurement support, and AI-enhanced DevSecOps pipelines
• Lead and coordinate the prototyping and integration of AI/ML, data platforms, and cloud/edge infrastructure into cohesive, mission-ready architectures
• Engage directly with customers to identify high-impact mission opportunities for AI-enabled solutions and modern digital foundations
• Support the development of new business operations and mechanisms to manage high customer demand in partnership with division leadership
• Advance the adoption of enterprise-grade data architectures, including data fabrics, data meshes, streaming and batch pipelines, and analytics platforms
• Drive innovation toward unique customer needs for secure, cloud-native and hybrid architectures, spanning commercial cloud, government cloud, on-prem, and edge environments
• Contribute to and coordinate internal research and development activities spanning AI, data platforms, and infrastructure with emphasis on operational transition – specifically for Chantilly-based customer alignment and transition opportunities

Team Development & Culture:

• Build, mentor, and inspire a multidisciplinary workforce spanning AI/ML, data engineering, cloud infrastructure, platform engineering, and systems integration in the Chantilly region
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive culture that encourages innovation, technical excellence, and cross-division impact
• Partner with Aerospace's CIO and CTO organizations to align enterprise platforms, internal tools, and infrastructure strategies with mission-facing needs

What You Need to Be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Associate Principal Director, Applied AI & Advanced Infrastructure:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, information systems, or a related STEM field
• 10 or more years of experience with demonstrated impact leading multidisciplinary technical teams supporting complex government or national security missions
• Strong understanding of modern AI/ML systems, including model development, deployment, and lifecycle management (MLOps), as well as strengths and limitations of current AI approaches
• Expertise in modern data architectures, including data platforms, data fabrics/meshes, streaming systems, analytics environments, and data governance in mission contexts
• Demonstrated experience with cloud-native and hybrid infrastructure, including commercial and government cloud service providers, container platforms, orchestration, and edge computing
• Proven ability to support and execute technical strategies and roadmaps that integrate AI, data, and infrastructure for complex, software-enabled missions
• Strong customer-facing skills, with experience partnering with government stakeholders to translate mission needs into scalable digital solutions
• Success building and leading integrated, multidisciplinary teams with a focus on reuse, scalability, and mission impact
• Experience coordinating across multiple technical organizations and fostering collaborative, cross-functional environments
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Willingness to travel occasionally to work locations or customer sites (approximately 10–20%)
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance (TS/SCI level and higher). U.S. citizenship is required

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Experience establishing or growing technical organizations or operations in new geographic regions
• Direct experience with modern AI systems focusing on automated reasoning, agentic AI systems/AI agents, deep reinforcement learning, or similar technologies
• Hands-on experience delivering AI-enabled mission solutions, including applications such as autonomous systems, space domain awareness, cyber detection, predictive analytics, digital engineering, or physics-informed ML
• Deep familiarity with secure and multi-level environments, including cross-domain architectures and AI/data deployment across classification boundaries
• Exposure to space, defense, or intelligence mission areas such as space control, missile warning, remote sensing, or commercial space data exploitation
• Experience managing research and development portfolios, including transitioning research into operational systems or sustained mission use
• Established relationships with National Capital Region customers in DoD or Intelligence Community space programs

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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.