Space Enterprise Evolution Senior Project Lead

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.

The CSG Space Enterprise Evolution Directorate (SEED) engages to position Aerospace to advance U.S. space and related complex systems capabilities to solve hard problems in emerging areas that are in the national interest.

We are looking for a Senior Project Leader- Enterprise Systems Engineering to maintain and expand customer relationships across the space enterprise and partner to ensure mission and program needs are met with Aerospace technical solutions to accelerate deployment of space capabilities.  The position is responsible for providing full lifecycle independent and objective assessments, systems engineering and integration capabilities, and mission assurance to civil, commercial, and international space programs. The candidate selected for this position will be responsible for all dimensions of relationships with developing opportunities with government agencies and universities, UARC, FFRDC partners advancing space capabilities in emerging areas aligned with national priorities.  The position includes responsibility to deliver FFRDC value with our customers to advance U.S. leadership in space.  This includes working with corporate offices, group, directorate, and division leadership to establish and evolve our growth strategy and plans aligned with customer needs, value propositions, long term opportunity identification, advancing technology and building SE&I FFRDC capability for the space enterprise.

The position interfaces with the Aerospace Engineering and Technology Group (ETG), Office of Chief Technologist (OCTO), Corporate Communications, and Center for Space Policy and Strategy (CSPS) and across professional societies and organizations across the space enterprise.  

This is a full-time position based in Crystal City, VA offering an on-site work model that combines 4 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as business needs allow. 

What You’ll Be Doing

• Work as part of an integrated team consisting of program management, engineering, and science professionals to deliver Aerospace FFRDC services and value to our customers
• Lead strategy, planning, development, and implementation of projects, consistent with corporate policies/practices, goals, and Aerospace vision and mission
• Anticipate future customer needs across civil agencies (e.g., NASA, NOAA, FAA), commercial, and international organizations, aligning them with evolving Aerospace capabilities including AI and digital engineering
• Act as the "recognized face to the customer" and key enterprise connector, building confidence in Aerospace's ability to deliver integrated solutions to emerging mission needs
• Partner with Aerospace CSG lines of business leadership to realize future value growth
• Collaborate with internal subject matter experts to form and manage multidisciplinary teams to deliver strategic analysis and study results with comprehensive technical expertise
• Report and track: (1) project plan goals; (2) resource expenditure actuals vs. plan; (3) milestones and deliverables; and (4) evolution of project plans and (5) value growth for national capabilities
• Build and maintain effective relationships with customer decision makers

What You Need to be Successful- Senior Project Leader- Enterprise Systems Engineering

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering or equivalent is required. An advanced degree in an engineering discipline and/or in business administration is highly preferred

• 12 or more years of progressively increasing responsibility with direct hands-on experience in program and project management roles within civil agencies, preferably with experience with NASA or an FFRDC

• Demonstrated experience leading enterprise-level or cross-program systems engineering and integration efforts
• Proven ability to think and act strategically, providing thought leadership throughout strategic planning cycles
• Experience leading integrated, multidisciplinary teams (engineering, science, program management) to deliver complex technical outcomes
• Excellent relationship-management skills, with a track record of serving as a trusted technical and strategic advisor to senior customer stakeholders
• Willing to travel occasionally less than 10%.   
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance issued by the U.S. 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:

• Published and recognized in the space enterprise as a thought leader in enterprise digital ecosystems
• Experience implementing federally funded technology and engineering systems development, preferably with a civil space agency or federally funded laboratory
• Ability to work both as part of a geographically distributed team and autonomously
• Experience in management and supervisory roles; and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of customer and corporate staff
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

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.