Tracking Architecture Performance Department Manager

The Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a diverse and dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space-enabled mission effects. 

The Tracking Architecture Performance Department (TAPD) within the Integrated Performance Subdivision (IPS) conducts model-based analyses to deliver differentiated, context-informed insights about tracking performance across various architecture scenarios in both nominal and contested operating environments. The department specializes in analyzing missile defense, space domain awareness, and surveillance architectures, serving as the focal point for developing sophisticated assessment tools and providing expert analysis to support critical mission objectives. 

TAPD’s key modeling, simulation, and analysis (MS&A) focus areas include comprehensive architecture evaluations, what-if analyses to explore alternative configurations, and algorithm development, tuning, and optimization for multi-sensor tracking systems. Our work enables decision-makers to understand system capabilities, identify performance gaps, and optimize architectural designs. We support a diverse portfolio of customers and programs across the defense and intelligence communities, and we're seeking curious, innovative teammates to help tackle our customers' most challenging problems. 

As an Engineering Manager of a TAPD section, you will lead teams that provide technical expertise and capabilities to support customers in modeling, simulation, and analysis (MS&A) of space, air, and ground-based systems of systems. You will serve as a key point of contact for projects investigating tracking performance across various sensing architectures and operational scenarios in both nominal and contested environments. In this role, you will be responsible for building and nurturing collaboration within the department and across other engineering teams to ensure mission success. 

Work Model:  

This position is onsite at El Segundo, Colorado Springs and Chantilly with some limited hybrid (telework) opportunities.  

Your technical leadership responsibilities will include: 

• Influence government customers by serving as integration leader for the section’s modeling and simulation capabilities. 

• Translate program office needs into modeling, simulation, and analysis project plans and tasks. 

• Initiate and participate in collaboration opportunities across program offices and interdisciplinary technical organizations to achieve innovative solutions and optimal efficiencies. 

• Use and contribute to the development of in-house and commercial- and government-off-the-shelf engineering analysis tools and analysis products. 

• Provide day-to-day oversight for the work done in your section, provide technical guidance as needed 

• Develop and present briefings and reports for program offices and customers. 

Your people management responsibilities will include: 

• Build and maintain a strong base of customers and collaborators for the section through effective working relationships with colleagues, government customers, and contractor teammates. 

• Identify, coordinate, and assign work activities for direct reports and facilitate timely completion of these efforts. 

• Effectively communicate and manage conflict and competing priorities. 

• Develop staff through formal and informal performance management, evaluation, mentoring/coaching, and tasking. 

• Lead full-time staff and student intern recruiting, hiring, and onboarding efforts. 

• Review section work products for quality and accuracy. 

• Promote sharing and exchange of knowledge and information enterprise wide. 

• Keep the management team informed regarding section activities and assist in formulating and implementing department strategy and other business functions. 

• Travel occasionally as required. 

What You Need to be Successful  

Minimum Requirements:   

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (aerospace, astronautical, mechanical, or software), computer science, physics, operations research, or closely related technical field from an accredited school. 

• 6 years of progressively more responsible engineering experience.  

• Experience with tracking architectures, sensing phenomenology and various nominal and contested scenario concepts. 

• Experience Python, C++ or other programing languages.  

• Current Top Secret Clearance.   

How You Can Stand Out   

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

• An advanced degree in applicable STEM areas. 

• Experience in end-to-end, enterprise-level analysis and understanding of mission concepts including space domain awareness, missile warning/tracking or other contested environments. 

• Expertise with the following: tracking algorithms, surveillance architectures, multi-phenomenology sensing and kill-chain interdependencies.  

• Experience with any of the following: Modern software development methodologies, tools, processes, and hardware, distributed frameworks, automated workflows with CI/CD, and cloud computing 

• Experience in a people management role. 

• Current Top Secret/SCI Clearance with polygraph and/or special programs access.  

• Ability to form and lead highly productive intra- and inter- organizational teams. 

• Ability to work in a dynamic environment under ambiguous and fluctuating customer expectations. 

• Ability to identify, prioritize, and delegate tasks. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills including a demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of customers and staff.