Systems Director - Launch Mission Integration

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.

The Systems Director for Launch Mission Integration (Systems Engineering and Mission Assurance Engineering job family) will manage the Launch Mission Integration & Mission Manifest Office (MMO) Department within the Launch Systems Division. This department is responsible for NSS spacecraft-to-launch vehicle integration, working across Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, Vulcan, and NSSL New Entrant launch vehicles. The selected individual will have the responsibility to staff, plan, budget, and manage Aerospace support to the Space Access program, formerly Assured Access to Space (AATS), and the SSC / SYD80 Mission Integration Directorate (SSC/SYD80/AMI). This position offers an opportunity to reshape the mission integration and launch manifest processes to align with the current and projected future state of NSS launch.

In addition to direct support of mission integration, the team also provides technical support in creating mission sets for future missions, verifies adequacy of Do-No-Harm assessments on multi-manifest missions, implements strategies for improving launch agility, and serves as the primary interface between launch vehicle and spacecraft program offices and their respective contractors for USSF and NRO spacecraft. The director must be able to work effectively with customer personnel at all levels, and establish and maintain excellent working relationships with contractor, customer and Aerospace personnel across multiple organizations.   

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA, at LAAFB in the SSC/SYD80 Program Office, part of a customer-facing team. 

What You’ll Be Doing

• Evaluate staff performance, identify staffing needs, and develop the organization as required
• Work collaboratively with management across Launch, Missiles, and Mobility (LMM) to ensure outstanding Aerospace support to SSC and NRO launch programs
• Serve as the primary interface between launch vehicle and spacecraft program offices and their respective contractors for USSF and NRO spacecraft
• Develop, flow-down and verify launch service requirements, and ensure LV hardware and launch services successfully fulfill mission requirements
• Work with launch vehicle programs, Engineering and Technology Group (ETG), and the launch sites to ensure launch systems meet all mission requirements
• Manage mission verification activities leading up to the day of launch
• Support launch rehearsals and day of launch activities
• Support the maintenance and updates to NSSL program requirements, including the Standard Interface Specification (SIS) and System Performance Requirements Document (SPRD)
• Develop and incorporate mission integration and multi-manifest requirements and strategy into program planning for future launch service acquisitions
• Form and lead teams that work across functional organizations. Establish effective working relationships with spacecraft programs and launch vehicle and space vehicle contractors
• Work effectively with customer personnel at all levels.
• Work with the Space Force to prepare and execute competitive launch service acquisitions

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements - Systems Director - Systems Engineering and Mission Assurance Engineering:

• BS in Engineering or Science degree required
• 12 or more years of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific experience
• Proven leadership ability to think outside of the box to evolve processes
• Demonstrated effective written and verbal communication skills to differing levels of an organization
• Experience leading teams of experienced engineers
• Well-grounded in a variety of technical disciplines associated with spacecraft and launch vehicles
• Familiarity with the LV-SV mission integration processes
• Familiarity with NSSL vehicle families and DoD/NRO spacecraft requirements and processes
• Experience working with contractor personnel, mission partners, and across Aerospace organizations
• Ability to balance technical details and broader programmatic issues
• Current DoD Secret clearance, issued by the US government. US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance, issued by the US government. US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of the following:

• Advanced degree in a relevant engineering field
• Direct experience with spacecraft-launch vehicle integration
• Experience in managing engineering teams
• Significant familiarity with NSSL vehicle families (Falcon 9/Heavy, Vulcan, New Glenn, New Entrants) and DoD/NRO spacecraft requirements and processes
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a fast-paced program office
• Experience in Aerospace mission assurance processes
• Current TS/SCI/SAP 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.