Manager - Immersive Technologies and Animation Studio (ITAS)

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA 90245, US• Full Time

Posted 1 day ago• Business & Finance

Compensation

$134,200–$201,300/year

Job Description

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 Engineering Applications Department (EAD) within the Information Systems and Cyber Division (ISCD) is seeking a visionary Engineering Manager to lead our Immersive Technologies, Animation, and Product Experience team. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of how we visualize and interact with complex space systems data.

ISCD staff leverage cutting-edge information system technologies, including elastic compute clouds, containerization, microservices, real-time operating systems, and advanced visualization frameworks, combined with expertise in software architecture, AI, and cybersecurity to deliver high-performance systems to our Intelligence Community, DoD, and civilian customers.

This role requires a visionary leader who can drive innovation, deliver results, and develop talent while transforming complex engineering challenges into intuitive user experiences. You will establish product experience design as a foundational capability that shapes how The Aerospace Corporation designs and develops software applications.

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA, which requires 100% onsite work.

What You'll Be Doing

Develop and execute the technical strategy for the section in partnership with senior management, aligning team efforts with organizational goals

Lead and mentor individuals and project teams, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence

Build and grow capabilities in product experience along with visualization and immersive technologies.

Provide technical leadership, planning, and execution oversight for modern visualization applications, animations, and immersive experiences developed with commercial game engines

Serve as the technical point of contact for ITAS, representing the team to customer-facing groups, stakeholders, and leadership

Drive rapid prototyping efforts and guide technical decision-making across multiple concurrent projects

Work closely with customer-facing teams to identify and solve existing and emerging challenges through innovative visualization solutions

Build and maintain collaborations with academia, government partners, and vendors to generate research ideas and develop new prototypes

Maintain awareness of industry trends in immersive technologies, game design, and user experience design

What You Need to be Successful

Required:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in Computer Science, Mathematics, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Design, or related discipline

Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in rapid prototyping, software development, immersive technology, UX/UI design, or similar fields

Deep knowledge in at least one of the following areas:

Immersive technology (AR/VR/MR) development

Software development with Object-Oriented languages (C#, C/C++, Python)

Game design and commercial game engines (Unity, Unreal Engine)

UX/UI design and user-centered design methodologies

Professional animation and motion graphics

Demonstrated experience with Object-Oriented software development and familiarity with agile software development processes

Proven ability to interact effectively with internal and external stakeholders, presenting technical accomplishments and managing expectations

Outstanding verbal and written communication skills for interactions at all organizational levels, from technical teams to executive leadership

Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with corporate staff, peers, management, customers, and contractors

Track record of taking initiative, driving innovation, and thinking strategically about technology applications

Willing to travel domestically up to 10%

This position requires ability to obtain a DoD Secret security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

How You Can Stand Out

Master's degree or Ph.D. from an accredited university in Computer Science, HCI, Design, Mathematics, or related discipline

Deep enthusiasm for immersive technologies and their application to space systems, exploration, and operations

Deep understanding in several of the following areas:

Space warfighting and operational environments

Digital engineering and manufacturing workflows

UX/UI design systems and design thinking methodologies

Mobile development and cross-platform experiences

Storyboarding and visual storytelling

3D asset creation, environment design, and photogrammetry

Computer graphics and real-time rendering

Previous management or leadership experience with highly technical staff, particularly in creative or technical disciplines

Strong portfolio demonstrating leadership in innovative visualization projects, UX/UI design, or immersive experiences

Current Top-Secret or TS/SCI clearance

Advanced proficiency in Unity or Unreal Engine development, including lighting, materials, and optimization

Familiarity with web technologies, cloud platforms, and modern software architecture

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)

$134,200.00 - $201,300.00

Pay Basis: Annual

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.