Future Systems Lead

aero; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 171,400 - 257,100; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Relocation assistance

Education support

Professional growth programs

401(k) Plan

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Senior Project Leader to guide futures development for synthetic aperture radar payloads and technology demonstrations in a large, multidisciplinary team. This on-site role in Chantilly, VA involves coordinating model-based analysis, system trades, and collaboration with government and contractor radar SMEs.

The position requires a TS/SSBI/SCI clearance, U.S. citizenship, and a strong background in RF/SAR systems, with travel as needed to support program

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, physics, engineering or related technical discipline.
• Twelve or more years of professional engineering or technical management experience, across boundaries to develop an integrated system.
• Experience with the development and test of RF or SAR space systems or payloads.
• Experience with requirements development, verification or systems architecting.
• Strong customer-oriented attitude and ability to coordinate exchanges between SMEs and customers.
• Ability to distill complex technical information into key findings and communicate clearly to the customer.
• Willingness to provide occasional backup support and to travel.
• Security clearance (TS/SSBI/SCI) and U.S. citizenship to obtain clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership to shape the future system vision, roadmap, requirements, and architecture.
• Lead a diverse team of technical SMEs to support acquisition tradespace and decision-making.
• Develop a potential Aerospace payload prototype or testbed and conduct related testing, modeling, simulation, or AI/ML work.
• Identify and develop R&D investment opportunities to advance technology.
• Provide on-site support to government customers and collaborate with SETA contractors and other teams.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Travel willingness

Security clearance preparation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in math/physics/engineering or related technical discipline

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

RF payload experience

Radar/ISR tech

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.

The National Systems Group serves as the technical advisor to the Intelligence Community and its mission partners involved in the collection and distribution of national and tactical intelligence, including electronics programs, advanced technologies, ground and communications, imagery programs, and systems engineering and launch.

The Imagery Programs Division’s (IPD) Reconnaissance Systems (RS) Office is seeking a Senior Project Leader to lead Aerospace support to future radar systems, to include technology development, demonstration missions, space system and enterprise requirements development, architectural studies, acquisition planning and industry engagement. The Futures Lead will oversee contributions from a large pool of diverse technical SMEs in support of these activities as well as engage deeply with government and contractor radar SMEs from across the enterprise, external agencies and the user community. It is a dynamic and exciting time in RS with systems at various lifecycle stages, and the Futures Lead will have the opportunity to shape the future of a critical space capability.

This position requires 100% on site work in Chantilly, VA

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide technical leadership to shape the future system vision, technology development roadmap, requirements, architecture, and associated demonstration missions while applying lessons learned from heritage missions
• Lead a diverse team of technical SMEs to support these activities in a timely and responsive fashion to help define the acquisition tradespace and inform customer decision‑making
• Define and lead the development of a potential Aerospace payload prototype or testbed as well as any independent lab or range testing, analysis, modeling and simulation, advanced processing or AI/ML, or any other capabilities needed to reduce risk, solve contractor problems or advance mission capabilities
• Identify and develop R&D investment opportunities, both within and external to Aerospace, to help the customer advance the state of technology in the future system
• Provide on‑site Aerospace support to the government customer, including facilitating any requested technical training or technology deep dives, and collaborate closely with the customer team (SETA contractors, other Aerospace personnel) and development contractors to bring future systems to fruition

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Senior Project Leader – Synthetic Aperture Radar:

• Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, physics, engineering or related technical discipline
• Twelve or more years of professional engineering or technical management experience, working across boundaries to develop an integrated system
• Experience with the development and test of RF or SAR space systems or payloads
• Experience with requirements development, verification or systems architecting
• Strong customer‑oriented attitude, ability to cultivate strong relationships across organizations, and demonstrated aptitude for coordinating exchanges between technical SMEs and customers
• Ability to distill complex technical information into key findings and communicate those findings efficiently and credibly to the customer team at the appropriate level of technical depth
• Willing to provide occasional backup support to other team members and flex with program office needs as the mission evolves
• Willing to support frequent travel (typically 1 trip per month)
• This position requires a current and active TS/SSBI/SCI security clearance and polygraph, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

• Advanced degree in mathematics, physics, engineering or related discipline
• Experience developing SAR or RF payloads specifically for National Security Space customers
• Industry experience developing ISR or commercial remote sensing satellites

Compensation

(Min - Max)

$171,400.00 - $257,100.00 Pay Basis: Annual

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 vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:

• 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

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.