Systems Director – GEOINT Development Office​/Space Vehicle Department

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 advisor to the Intelligence Community and its mission partners involved in the collection and distribution of national and tactical intelligence, including electronics programs, advanced technologies, ground and communications, imagery programs, and systems engineering and launch. The Imagery Program Division’s GEOINT Development Office (GDO) is seeking a Systems Director to lead the Space Vehicle engineering team on the nation’s flagship national security space program.

In this unique leadership position, you will be responsible for the design, build and test of all bus subsystems on the spacecraft for a premier national program. You will manage a bicoastal team working with the customer and other contractors to define requirements, analyze design and performance, resolve design and manufacturing and test issues, oversee subsystem testing and integration into the space vehicle, and monitor vehicle level testing performed at the prime contractor.

The work of the Space Vehicle department plays a critical role in ensuring that mission performance met user needs and the system will integrate into the customer/user mission enterprise. This position requires 100% on-site work in Chantilly, VA

• Serve as the primary link between the Government Space Vehicle Division Lead and the Aerospace team.
• Manage engineering activities related to design, manufacture and test of spacecraft bus subsystems, subsystem integration into the space vehicle, satellite launch and initialization of bus subsystems, and failure analysis and anomaly resolution during the build cycle and operations.
• Work directly with customers to identify engineering support needs for hardware in various stages of acquisition, establish priorities, define budgets, and manage resources.
• Ensure effective collaboration and communication across GDO, related program offices and Aerospace Engineering & Technology Group (ETG) staff.
• Engage Aerospace ETG matrix support for design, build, test and integration, launch and initialization engineering support.
• Maintain a world-class diverse systems engineering staff and facilitate staff development.
• Keep customers informed about issues/risks/concerns and recommend mitigation approaches.
• When necessary, coordinate across Aerospace, SETA, and customer teams from other organizations to create enterprise solutions.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering, mathematics, science, or related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience with progressively increasing responsibility.
• Experience in spacecraft bus subsystem engineering, development, test, launch and initialization, and failure analysis and anomaly resolution.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with a broad range of customers, technologists, program managers, system engineers, and senior government leadership.
• Also, demonstrated tact and flexibility in dealing with challenging personalities.
• Willing to travel domestically (1-2 weeks per month).
• This position requires a current and active TS/SCI security clearance and polygraph, which is issued by the US government.
• U.S…