Vehicle and Ground Concepts Department Associate 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 Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division   leverages   a broad array of engineering disciplines against a dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities.   As part of the Enterprise Design Subdivision (EDS), the   Vehicle and Ground Concepts Department   ( VGC D)   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.   Work Model:   This full-time position requires 100% onsite work in   El Segundo CA.   What   You’ll   Be Doing:    Assist the Director in developing   the vision and direction for the department to execute and enhance corporate capabilities that   responsively   inform our customers’   space and ground acquisitions and architectures .   Drive   new technology   adoption (e.g.,   generative   and agentic AI)   and adapt these to enhance systems engineering workflows .   I dentify   new   partnerships   for   growth in customer impact.   Ensur e   Vehicle and Ground Concepts   Department and related corporate   activities fully   leverage   expertise   from across Aerospace ,   incorporat ing best practices in   enterprise systems engineering .   Manage   direct reports , including staff performance reviews, resource allocation, and personnel management, and recommend performance improvements, career development, personnel actions, and awards.   Staff are currently   located   in   Chantilly, VA; Albuquerque, NM; Colorado Springs, CO; and El Segundo, CA .   Serve as   a   primary contact for program office inquiries, frame problems, develop implementation plans, and identify   appropriate personnel   based on   expertise .   Foster a culture of innovation and collaboration,   maintain   robust relationships with peer organizations, and lead multi-discipline   design   teams.   Coordinate and manage complex technical tasks among customers, ensuring quality and accuracy of work products.   Recruit, onboard, and develop staff through performance management, mentoring, and coaching.   Collaborate with subdivision leadership to cultivate an effective national organization   Lead technical activities, organize project teams, and execute a variety of conceptual   design ,   evaluation ,   and   analysis activities.   What You Need to be a Successful   Associate   Director,   Vehicle and Ground Concepts   Departmen t.     Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science,   or a related field;   or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and equivalent technical experience    Typically   10 or more years   demonstrated   experience leading engineering studies and analysis teams, managing/coordinating complex technical tasks among team members, and translating customer needs into actionable tasks for   engineers      Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary teams involving system design,   acquisition   and/or operations in one or more of the following areas: space systems, ground systems, launch systems, or operations   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.   How You Can Stand Out     It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:    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 exp