ICADS Ground Segment Lead (Senior Project Leader)

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.

We are seeking an experienced ICADS Ground Segment Lead (Senior Project Leader) to lead the U.S. National Defense Space (USNDS) Integrated Correlation and Display System (ICADS) segment, overseeing the design, development, and deployment of critical ground system supporting our NUDET space missions. This role requires a strategic technical leader with deep understanding of nuclear detection architectures, ground system architectures, software development, and cross-functional team leadership to this vital national security program.

What You’ll be Doing

• Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of ICADS ground segment systems supporting hosted payload operations for nuclear detection sensors
• Develop and execute strategic roadmaps for ground system evolution and modernization
• Identify critical ground system development and integration decision points and milestones/events to ensure the successful transitioning of ICADS system capabilities from development to operations
• Participate in program status assessments and conduct independent risk assessments that inform government and Aerospace management of technical issues and recommended courses of action
• Provide insight into contractor system development and integration planning and execution, including system functional and performance testing for the ground, space, and combined ground-space capabilities 
• Represent Aerospace in program meetings and technical forums such as design reviews, technical interchanges, and program management reviews
• Interface with government customers, mission stakeholders, and executive leadership

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility at LA Air Force Base in El Segundo, CA.

What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements – Sr. Project Leader – Systems Engineering – Acquisition and Systems Engineering

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Science, or related technical field
• Twelve or more years of responsible professional engineering experience, including multi-disciplinary systems engineering and/or program management environments
• Experience with development, test, and fielding of ground systems
• Prior engineering leadership or project management experience
• Experience with modern software development processes
• Proven ability to establish and maintain excellent working relationships with military, technical, and contractor teams
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills
• Current and active Top Secret/SCI security clearance, issued by the US government. US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Ability to support periodic travel (typically 1 trip per month)

How Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Strong, hands-on knowledge of ground system architectures, especially antenna networks and advanced communications network technologies 
• Technical understanding of the current threat environment
• NUDET (Nuclear Detonation Detection) mission experience - familiarity with detection phenomenology, data processing algorithms, and operational concepts
• Experience with space-based sensing missions and operational ground systems

Modern Development Practices

• Agile software development methodologies - Scrum, SAFe, DevSecOps
• Experience leading Agile teams and implementing iterative development processes
• Familiarity with Agile at scale in government/defense environments

Cloud & Modern Infrastructure

• Cloud computing experience (AWS, Azure, or hybrid cloud environments)
• Understanding of cloud-native architectures, containerization (Docker/Kubernetes)
• Experience migrating legacy ground systems to cloud platforms

FORGE Platform

• Experience with FORGE (Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution) or similar ground system modernization initiatives
• Knowledge of FORGE architecture, services, and implementation approaches
• Understanding of multi-mission ground system frameworks

Additional Technical Skills

• Cybersecurity expertise and Authority to Operate (ATO) processes
• Machine learning/AI applications for ground data processing
• Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and practices

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.