Propulsion Systems Director

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 Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Material Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers’ portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems. Would you like to manage and mentor a team of project engineers supporting the execution of National Security Space Launches (NSSL) on SpaceX and Blue Origin launch systems? This team executes the certification process and manages Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V) of launch systems used in support of United States Space Force (USSF) National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) missions. The Launch Systems Operations and Development team within the Launch Systems Division is seeking a well-qualified individual with demonstrated leadership abilities and exceptional communication skills to lead our propulsion systems team. As the Propulsion Systems Director, you will manage and provide leadership for a team of project engineers supporting the execution of National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions on the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch systems, and the certification and launch operations for the New Glenn launch system. This role may also include some involvement in working with SpaceX to maintain early insights into the Starship launch system to assess their capability for new mission profiles and eventual certification for NSSL launches. You will be responsible for ensuring the team consistently provides technically sound and objective assessments along with recommendations to Aerospace and USSF leadership within appropriate timelines and budget allocations for launch system certification and operational mission assurance. You will also be responsible for providing direction, mentorship and developing the technical and functional capabilities of the team while also building effective working relationships with the USSF team, contractor counterparts (e.g. SpaceX, Blue Origin and their suppliers, as well as other USG contractors), ETG, and other interested parties (e.g. NRO and NASA). The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA. What You’ll Be Doing Provide leadership, planning, and management of technical staff and activities Assign resources, determine staffing needs, and coordinate activities with customer and Aerospace leadership Establish and communicate organizational objectives and goals Work with program office and engineering to foster the development of innovative solutions to hard problems that are technically sound and objective Participate in strategic planning, budgeting, and resource allocation with higher level management Mentor staff and identify opportunities for personnel development and growth through feedback and performance evaluations Foster productive working relationships within the organization, with the customer, and the contractor community to facilitate identification and mitigation of mission risks Effectively communicate technical activities, issues, and accomplishments through reports and briefings to Aerospace, USSF, and contractor teams What You Need to be Successful Minimum Requirements Systems Director - Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering: B.S. in mechanical engineering or related field from a recognized institution 12 or more years of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific experience Demonstrated ability to effectively and efficiently establish and maintain working relationships with all levels of customer and corporate staff Experience leading team(s) comprised of diversely skilled engineers and experience A current Secret Clearance or the ability to obtain/maintain a Secret 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 impressive if you have one or more of these: Advanced degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or related field from a recognized institution Previous position or experience in leadership and management role(s) Knowledge and experience with Aerospace launch verification and mission assurance processes Effective interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills Experience with testing and/or analysis of launch vehicle systems Experience with systems engineering and verification of requirements Experience with analysis and/or testing of propulsion systems Experience with liquid rocket engines and/or solid rocket motors Demonstrates enterprise-level perspective with prior Program Office(s) and ETG experience We offer a competitive