CNCD Operations and Sustainment Principal Director

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 Material 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 Communication and Navigation Capabilities Division (CNCD) supports the critical government systems that compose the United States Space Force’s Satellite Communications & Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (SCPNT) portfolio. The Comm, PNT, and SCN Ops and Sustainment Subdivision within CNCD supports the critical operations and sustainment of the Space Force’s communications, navigation, and Satellite Control Network (SCN) systems operations and sustainment in Colorado Springs.

The Principal Director for the Comm, PNT, and SCN Ops and Sustainment Subdivision will lead an important set of teams supporting high-priority Combat Forces Command (CFC) missions and customers at Peterson Space Force Base and Schriever Space Force Base. The position will require engagement and collaboration with CFC Mission Delta leadership, as well as working across multiple stakeholders, including the government, SE&I contractors, FFRDC partners, and other industry partners. In addition to customer engagement, this role will serve as a key touchpoint for corporate awareness, ensuring leadership visibility and continued alignment with the subdivision's missions and support.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Colorado Springs, CO and customer sites at Peterson Space Force Base and Schriever Space Force Base.  

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead Aerospace teams supporting development, operations and sustainment of SATCOM, PNT, and SCN systems
• Serve as a senior advisor to the Government, delivering technical strategy expertise for active system development efforts and strategic guidance to inform the roadmap for future operations and sustainment
• Lead the organization in setting strategy, goals, and expectations; developing, mentoring, and driving engagement of staff, identification and retention of talent
• Serve as a key conduit between the Subdivision and broader corporate initiatives, fostering awareness and sustaining strong connectivity with the broader Aerospace teams in Colorado Springs
• Serve as a champion of the Subdivision's mission and accomplishments across the organization, driving awareness and securing the resources and attention needed to support team success
• Exemplify Aerospace corporate values of objectivity and integrity when serving as a trusted agent to senior government customers
• Conduct budget planning and allocation of resources, including identifying and hiring to fill needed positions and coordinating ETG support

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Principal Director:

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field or equivalent area
• 15 or more years of progressively demonstrated management and technical experience
• 5 or more years of people management experience and the ability to perform resource planning, staffing, coaching and mentoring, and performance and development of team.
• Experience with building, leading, and maintaining integrated multidisciplinary mixed government, SE&I, SETA and FFRDC teams.
• Experience delivering results by influencing key stakeholders
• Experience with processes associated with a government system acquisition and lifecycle.
• Experience building and maintaining effective interpersonal relations with internal and external organizations such as with customers, Aerospace, contractors, or related
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
• Ability to travel as required (approx. 10-20%)
• Active Top Secret / SCI clearance with ability to obtain Special Access Programs (SAP) and maintain clearance, issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

It would be nice if you had one or more of these:

• Advanced technical degree in a STEM field of equivalent area
• Experience in military satellite communication systems, PNT systems, and/or SCN ground systems
• Experience in satellite operations and sustainment
• Experience in ground system development and sustainment
• Demonstrates enterprise-level perspective with prior Program Office(s) and ETG experience
• Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships with government program team leaders
• Demonstrated management experience and skills including budgeting, staff development, and strategic planning
• Prior management role in direct support of a government customer in program office

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.