Director, Materials Science — Tribology & Space R&D Leader

Tribonet; El Segundo (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

401(k) plan

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

Telework options

Inclusive work environment

Competitive compensation

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation’s Materials Science Department seeks a visionary leader to guide a growing staff and new R&D horizons. You will develop multidisciplinary teams, drive capabilities for space missions, and manage resources to meet evolving customer needs.

Reporting to the Director, you will cultivate collaborations across government, industry, and academia, while advancing materials science across metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, and additive manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field and/or Materials Science or related technical discipline.
• (12) or more years of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific research experience.
• Experience in materials science, metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, additive manufacturing, materials physics, or NDE.
• Ability to engage with customers and collaborators on materials issues.
• Proven ability to lead and execute cross-organizational strategies.

Responsibilities

• Provide people and organizational leadership, mentoring staff and managing performance.
• Hire, train, and mentor a growing staff for technical, programmatic, and customer leadership.
• Manage departmental resources and laboratory budgets and investments.
• Develop integrated strategies unifying materials R&D across the space enterprise.
• Cultivate relationships with collaborators and customers to address challenges.
• Manage a diverse portfolio of cutting‑edge research aligned to national security space programs.
• Work with customers and staff to develop product delivery goals and commitments.
• Collaborate with Project Management, Facilities, and Supply Chain.

Skills

Materials science

Leadership

Customer engagement

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM or Materials Science

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation’s Materials Science Department seeks a visionary leader to guide a growing staff and new R&D horizons. You will develop multidisciplinary teams, drive capabilities for space missions, and manage resources to meet evolving customer needs.

Reporting to the Director, you will cultivate collaborations across government, industry, and academia, while advancing materials science across metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, and additive manufacturing.