Principal Director Ground Enterprise

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 National Systems Group serves as the technical adviser to the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and its mission partners involved in the collection and distribution of national and tactical intelligence, including electronics programs, ground and communications, imagery programs, systems engineering, and launch.

We are seeking a Ground and Communications Division (GCD) Ground Enterprise (GE) Subdivision Principal Director to lead and coordinate all Aerospace support to the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Ground Enterprise Directorate (GED).  The GED mission requires extensive collaboration to provide key ground software capabilities and innovative tools used across the NRO, Intelligence Community (IC), and Department of War (DOW) enterprise architectures.

As Principal Director, you will lead an established high-performing team in planning, systems engineering, acquisition, development, and integration of multiple major software capabilities.  You will also lead teams supporting architecture and technology developments, including modeling and simulation activities, AI/ML applications, roadmap developments, and demonstration programs.  Aerospace support efforts leverage our corporate expertise across satellite technologies and sensor phenomenologies to facilitate the development of advanced collection orchestration, satellite mission management and data processing, automation of existing and emerging systems, migrating/architecting systems to and for the cloud, and applying AI/ML techniques to satisfy critical mission needs.

This is a full-time position which requires 100% on-site work in Chantilly, VA

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading ~70 Aerospace PTS supporting NRO/GED in identifying the hardest problems, developing strategic solutions, and directing your team to respond effectively
• Fostering automation and integration across the ground enterprise to meet end-to-end program performance needs for existing and new proliferated space systems
• Collaborating across the corporation to solve enterprise problems that cross customer boundaries, including IC-DoW, to develop fully integrated mission solutions
• Aligning strategic direction with corporate strengths, customer priorities, and available skillsets
• Informing customer and corporate decision-making through analyses and recommendations
• Attracting, developing, and retaining top talent.
• Establishing budget priorities and allocating resources

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Principal Director:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited program in engineering, mathematics, physical sciences or other discipline relevant to the customer missions
• Fifteen or more years of progressively more responsible experience
• Experience leading complex systems or software engineering activities
• Working knowledge of modern ground architectures and acquisition practices
• People and team leadership experience
• An agile, strategic mindset comfortable executing in an uncertain, dynamic, fast paced environment
• Ability to balance work in the face of competing priorities.
• Outstanding communication skills with senior leaders, executives, and subject matter experts
• Willingness to travel domestically – on the order of 4 trips a year, 1 week each.
• Candidates must a current and active TS/SSBI/SCI security clearance and polygraph, 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 the following:

• Experience applying intelligence data to address National and Warfighter needs
• Significant experience supporting the NRO ground enterprise
• Both program office and ETG experience, particularly managing matrixed engineering resources
• Demonstrates enterprise-level perspective with prior Program Office(s) and ETG experience
• Extensive people leadership experience
• Advanced degree in a relevant field

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)

$240,000.00 - $280,000.00

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 [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.