Vehicle and Ground Concepts Department Associate Director

As part of the Enterprise Design Subdivision (EDS), the Vehicle and Ground Concepts Department (VGCD) drives responsive and comprehensive space vehicle and ground system preliminary/conceptual design, trades, and evaluation. Working closely with corporate program offices, VGCD delivers integration leadership and capabilities for conceptual design activities across the space enterprise. The department serves US Space Force, Intelligence Community, NASA, NOAA, and commercial/international customers.

The Associate Director of the Vehicle and Ground Concepts Department will work with the Director to lead these efforts, build partnerships with customers, and ensure the team is staffed with top talent to solve complex challenges.

Ensure Vehicle and Ground Concepts Department and related corporate activities fully leverage expertise from across Aerospace, incorporating best practices in enterprise systems engineering.

Coordinate and manage complex technical tasks among customers, ensuring quality and accuracy of work products.
** What You Need to be a Successful Associate Director, Vehicle and Ground Concepts Department.
** Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or a related field; or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and equivalent technical experience  experience leading engineering studies and analysis teams, managing/coordinating complex technical tasks among team members, and translating customer needs into actionable tasks for Experience in hiring, supervising, mentoring, and inspiring staff Proven ability to initiate and lead project teams, develop project plans, identify high-impact deliverables, and manage schedule commitments

Exceptional time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and to lead cross-functional teams Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to present methods and results effectively Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, adapt quickly to change, manage ambiguity, and demonstrate initiative under pressure

Ability to travel approximately 15-25% of the time This position requires a current and active TS/SCI clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government, and the ability to pass a CI Polygraph. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

A graduate degree or extensive work experience in relevant fields

Experience with concurrent engineering, spacecraft design, ground system design, model-based systems engineering (MBSE), digital engineering, and/or enterprise systems engineering/architecting

Experience with generative and/or agentic AI technologies A reputation for expanding the knowledge and/or application of the concurrent engineering design discipline, literature, tools, and processes

Prior experience with related Aerospace architecting and design capabilities (CDC, PDST, MBSE, Digital Engineering), or similar experience at another company

Experience leveraging or integrating commercial capabilities/services into space mission architectures

Experience collaborating with multiple Aerospace program offices and customers  Strong connections and working experience with the National Security Space Community

Experience with or supporting the acquisition of spacecraft, payloads, ground systems, launch systems, missile systems, nuclear weapon systems, and/or aircraft systems

A proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with contractors, customers, and corporate staff

Experience leading or managing a geographically distributed team, including remote employees
* 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…