Director – Modeling & Simulation Software

The Aerospace Corporation; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 168,200 - 252,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care and wellness plans

Relocation assistance

401(k) Plan with company contributions

Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

Telework options

Education assistance programs

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation seeks an experienced engineering leader to drive organizational strategy and cross‑functional teams aligned with national space program objectives.

Lead staffing, budgets, and major projects while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships and ensuring top‑notch program performance. Requires Top Secret/SCI eligibility and travel flexibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM majors such as Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, or related technical disciplines.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific experience.
• Strong working relationships across contractors, customers, management, and staff.
• Experience with modern software development languages including C++ or Python.
• Ability to obtain Top Secret/SCI clearance; U.S. citizenship required.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to domestic work locations or customer sites.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute organizational strategies aligned with corporate and customer objectives.
• Collaborate with customers and subject matter experts to project future customer needs and proactively acquire funding to develop capabilities.
• Assemble high functioning, diverse project teams to build nationally‑recognized space modeling and simulation capabilities.
• Build a talented national organization through recruiting, hiring, and on‑boarding new staff.
• Obtain, manage, and tailor work assignments to staff skillsets.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with peer organizations and a broad base of customers.
• Develop an organizational culture that promotes a welcoming, engaging, innovative work environment.
• Manage budgets and procure required hardware and software.
• Provide quality control to ensure products are of the highest quality.
• Provide written and verbal briefings to senior Aerospace leadership.
• Evaluate staff performance and provide constructive feedback.
• Serve as an individual technical contributor and technical project lead as needed.

Skills

C++

Python

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Job description

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.

Work Model

• This is a full‑time position based in El Segundo, CA or Chantilly, VA, which requires 100% onsite work.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Develop and execute organizational strategies aligned with corporate and customer objectives
• Collaborate with customers and subject matter experts to project future customer needs and proactively acquire funding to develop capabilities to meet those needs
• Assemble high functioning, diverse project teams to build nationally‑recognized space modeling and simulation capabilities
• Build a talented national organization through recruiting, hiring, and on‑boarding new staff
• Obtain, manage, and tailor work assignments to staff skillsets
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with peer organizations, and a broad base of customers
• Develop an organizational culture that promotes a welcoming, engaging, innovative work environment
• Manage budgets and procure required hardware and software
• Provide quality control to ensure that organizational products are of the highest quality
• Provide written and verbal briefings and recommendations to senior Aerospace leadership
• Evaluate staff performance and provide frequent, constructive feedback
• Serve as an individual technical contributor and technical project lead as needed

Minimum Requirements / What you need to be successful

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM majors such as Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, or related technical disciplines.
• 10 or more years of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific experience
• Consistent track record of establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with all levels of contractors, customers, management, and corporate staff
• Strong technical reputation and track record of technical achievement
• Experience with modern software development languages including C++ or Python
• Technical breadth and demonstrated learning agility
• Experience building and leading cross‑organizational teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated track record of developing people through mentoring and training
• Experience in managing people and projects in at least one of the following domains: software development; DevOps; modeling & simulation
• Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret/SCI clearance, which is issued by the U.S. Government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Ability to travel occasionally to domestic work locations or customer sites

How You Can Stand Out

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, or related subject area
• Direct mission system experience in one or more of the following: GEOINT, missile warning/missile tracking/missile defeat, satellite communications, command and control, PNT, launch systems, civil space systems (NASA, NOAA)
• Modeling & simulation and/or analysis of multi‑domain end‑to‑end effects chains
• Experience architecting, developing, or using distributed simulation frameworks
• Strong experience and understanding of additional modern software development languages (e.g., Java, Go, Rust), processes & workflows, computing platforms (on/off‑prem, cloud/hybrid/multi‑cloud, etc.), containerization principles and technologies, data operations
• Experience with data science technology & applications (AI, ML, GAI)
• Demonstrates enterprise‑level perspective with prior Program Office(s) and ETG experience
• Active Top Secret or SCI clearance or current (<4 years old) Sole Source Background Investigation (SSBI)

Leadership Competencies

• 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 Highlights

• 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

Compensation

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. Grade‑based pay range: $168,200.00 – $252,400.00 (Pay Basis: Annual).

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 [e-mail]. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.