Principal Director, Enterprise Applications

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. Job Summary The  Principal Director, Enterprise Applications  is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving the enterprise-wide strategy for IT applications, with a strong focus on ERP systems and digital transformation. This role ensures the alignment of technology and operational strategies to enhance business processes, streamline workflows, and optimize the use of data, AI and technology. Acting as a key partner to executive leadership and IT teams, the Principal Director leads the design, development, and management of secure, scalable, and innovative enterprise applications that support financial operations and strategic objectives. This position plays a pivotal role in advancing modernization, enabling cross-functional delivery, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of mission-critical systems. This role will report to the Deputy CIO/General Manager of Enterprise Information Systems (EIS) Division under the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO). The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA. What You’ll Be Doing Strategic Vision & Leadership Define and lead the execution of an enterprise-wide IT applications strategy, with a strong emphasis on ERP, data governance, and analytics Develop multi-year roadmaps for application modernization and digital transformation, ensuring alignment with business objectives Partner with executive leadership to influence digital strategies and drive enterprise innovation Application Portfolio Management Oversee the architecture, lifecycle management, and performance of ERP, HRIS, and other internally developed applications Identify opportunities to leverage emerging technologies (e.g., AI, RPA) to optimize workflows and improve scalability Establish governance frameworks to prioritize initiatives based on ROI and business impact Solution Design & Delivery Collaborate with key stakeholders to design and implement business processes supported by technology solutions that optimize efficiencies within an integrated ERP environment Design, govern, and maintain a high-level enterprise reporting framework that delivers consistent, accurate data across an entire organization Integrate advanced features like robotic process automation and machine learning into existing reporting workflows Lead cross-functional teams in delivering secure, scalable, and high-quality applications through DevSecOps practices and CI/CD methodologies Ensure seamless system integration and interoperability across platforms Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with Enterprise Architecture, the Chief Data Office, and other teams to embed data governance, analytics, and security into solutions Drive user adoption through stakeholder engagement, training, and change management initiatives Operational Excellence Ensure application reliability, scalability, and performance, meeting or exceeding SLAs Establish proactive monitoring, incident management, and problem-resolution processes Oversee lifecycle management, including upgrades, patching, and technical debt remediation Leadership & Team Development Manage and mentor a team of IT professionals, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement Develop career paths and skill development programs to grow team competencies Manage resource allocation, staffing plans, and vendor partnerships to meet organizational objectives Governance & Compliance Ensure compliance with security standards, including NIST, CMMC, and corporate policies, across both classified and unclassified environments Participate in governance forums to align application strategies with enterprise architecture and risk management frameworks Change Management & Innovation Lead transformation initiatives, driving process improvements and automation to enhance efficiency Champion innovation by evaluating and adopting emerging technologies to drive competitive advantage Drive results through strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and iterative optimization What You Need to be Successful Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Systems, Business, Finance, or related field is required A minimum of (15) years of experience in ERP architecture and implementation, with 5+ years in leadership roles is required Proven expertise in SAP Financial solutions (S/4 HANA, ECC), including end-to-end implementation management experience Strong knowledge of SAP modules (Finance, Source-to-Pay Order-to-Cash, Hire to Retire) and supporting systems (e.g., Ariba, Concur, Dassian) Strong project management skills, with success delivering large-scale system implementations Experience with system integration, data governance, and automation Demonstrated ability to define and execute ERP roadmaps aligned with business goals Experience leading digital transformation initiatives, including cloud migration and process automation Exceptional communication skills to translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and engage in executive leadership This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance How You Can Stand Out It would be