NASA Technology Systems 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.

Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within NASA, NOAA, and the NNSA, while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors.

Civil Systems Group (CSG) is seeking qualified individuals with experience in program and project management for diverse customers. We are looking for a NASA Technology Systems Director (Systems Director - Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering).  In this role, the individual will manage the NASA Technology Department within the Space Missions, Technology and Transportation Subdivision of CSG/NASA Programs Division (NPD) in addition to supporting engineering activities for various customers and internal Aerospace initiatives.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Washington, DC. This position will require occasional on-site visits to interact with customers at NASA HQ and other NASA locations.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Serve as the NASA Technology Systems Director, provide leadership, planning, and direction of the engineering team supporting NASA’s Space technology Mission Directorate (STMD) and its programs and supporting centers.
• Provide subject matter expertise in the planning and execution of technology development initiatives supporting NASA STMD
  • Serve as a specialist/consultant for a broad range of STMD technology activities
  • Support technology strategic planning, forecasting, and road mapping efforts; governance formulation
• Provide day-to-day programmatic monitoring, assessment, and oversight of department activities.
• Participate in and lead contract tasking, contract management, and potential new business activities.
• Build and manage the engineering team, ensuring that both team and customer needs are met.
• Assign and coordinate work activities within the organization.
• Participate in budget planning and allocation of resources.
• Monitor workload, work progress, and schedules, ensuring completion of the organization’s work assignments within cost and schedule guidelines.
• Report organizational activities, progress, and achievements monthly to management, subordinates, and customers.
• Communicate with customers to coordinate and report work progress, issues, financial status, and results.

What You Need to be Successful - Systems Director - Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, science, mathematics, or closely related technical field
• 10 or more years of progressively demonstrated management experience with technology development, systems engineering, and space architecture definition
• Strong project management and team management skills
• Familiarity with NASA technologies in the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) programs and projects is required
• Demonstrated experience in partnership development/customer relations with multiple government customers
• Understanding and experience working with multiple government customers
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to develop and clearly communicate complex information
• Independent and self-motivated; proactive ability to serve as the primary interface to the customer
• Ability to work across a geographically distributed team environment
• Ability to identify and communicate concerns to leadership in a diplomatic manner
• This position will require the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US 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:

• An advanced technical degree
• Partnership development/customer relations with NASA
• Expertise with NASA policy and strategic planning
• Experience in organizing cross-disciplinary organizations that include multiple government customers, industry, and academia
• Current and active security clearance

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.