Systems Director - 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 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 Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) National Intelligence Council (NIC) for Space office is in the Mission Integration Directorate at ODNI. NIC-Space oversees and integrates all aspects of the Intelligence Community's (IC) mission management and analytic efforts for Space. The NIC-Space develops a Unifying Intelligence Strategy (UIS) to communicate and synchronize the Space Intelligence Community and manages the Space Threat Assessment Cell (STAC). STAC is a community resource applying foundational intelligence, technical expertise, and collaborative partnerships to frame the future space environment. 

Aerospace is seeking an agile, motivated leader to serve as the Mission Integration Systems Director (Systems Director - Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering) for our support to the ODNI Mission Integration Directorate. This position manages all Aerospace technical and policy advice and support to senior intelligence officers and executives within the offices of the NIC-Space, including the Senior Director and National Intelligence Officer for Space (NIO-Space) as well as the Principal Deputy Directors for Mission Management and Analysis. The ideal candidate will be responsible for assigning resources, determining staffing needs, and coordinating activities within the NIC-Space and STAC. They will communicate and coordinate activities with counterpart organizations, management, and customers. They will support the NIC-Space with the implementation of the UIS and the STAC by performing long-range forecasting of threats to National Security Space via deep, system of systems engineering analysis. The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing multiple systems engineering/threat assessment portfolios to advance NIC-Space and STAC mission areas.

This position is located 100% on site with the customers in Tysons Corner, VA and Reston, VA.

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Lead, develop and mentor a high-performing technical staff.
• Liaison with senior customers, staff, Aerospace management, Project West Wing, and the Engineering & Technology Group (ETG) to identify and fulfill customer needs, consistent with the Aerospace FFRDC role.
• Serve as the primary interface for the Aerospace ODNI Mission Integration team with the customer and with Aerospace teams in other parts of ODNI.
• Build and maintain relationships with other intelligence community and national security space organizations, facilitate the exchange of information and analysis, and perform research tasks to address future space intelligence needs with effective assessments & recommendations.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive awareness and understanding of current and developing threats to U.S. national security space architecture and commercial systems.
• Identify and follow through on opportunities to inject Aerospace thought leadership and technology in support of customer mission needs.
• Manage organizational resources in a manner that meets customer needs, complies with customer and Aerospace polices and fulfills the requirements of the relevant Aerospace contracts.
• Collaborate across Aerospace to coordinate with related efforts at mission partner organizations.

What You Need to be Successful 

Minimum Requirements for Systems Director – Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering::

• Bachelor’s degree in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or other relevant subjects.
• 12 years of progressively more responsible experience in engineering or other technical roles.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of contractors, government customers, and other Aerospace staff across the program office and ETG corporate landscape.
• Demonstrated agility and ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced customer environment with a high degree of uncertainty.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, organization and planning skills along with strong interpersonal skills.
• Understanding of the Aerospace role and the guidelines for appropriate use of an FFRDC.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong teams to meet customer needs.
• A motivated, positive, and success-driven approach to tackle fast-pace and dynamic challenges
• This position requires a top secret/SCI clearance with polygraph, which is issued by the US 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 these:

• An advanced degree in Science, Engineering, or Mathematics.
• Four or more years of direct experience within NRO, IC, Space Force, or other DoW areas in space operations, space threats, and/or counterspace intelligence analysis and reporting. 
• Experience with supporting a space-related program office and facilitating reach back to obtain and coordinate technical support from the Aerospace Engineering & Technology Group and other Aerospace Program Offices.
• At least 5 years management experience and/or team leadership experience.
• Experience with intelligence analysis including a demonstrated ability to analyze a wide variety of data and the skills to write clear and concise intelligence products.
• Experience in multiple engineering and science disciplines, such as research and development, space and ground systems acquisition, systems engineering and systems integration.
• Skill in conducting unbiased complex research, identifying appropriate classified systems/data sources, and leveraging intelligence community capabilities in support of customers.
• Understanding of the national security space environment including people, organizations, infrastructure, and capabilities in IC organizations that produce space-related intelligence.

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)

$168,200.00 - $252,400.00

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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.