Space Missions Director, Engineering & Program Leadership

The Aerospace Corporation; Maryland; On-site; USD 208,000 - 312,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care and wellness plans

Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

401(k) Plan with match

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in Greenbelt, Maryland, seeks a Principal Director - Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering to lead GSFC programs and advance mission success. You will manage teams, shape strategy, oversee budgets, and coordinate with NASA partners in a 100% onsite role at GSFC.

Ideal candidates bring 15+ years of leadership in space missions, strong communication, and a proven ability to deliver results across diverse, distributed teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering or equivalent is required.
• 15+ years of progressively responsible professional leadership experience.
• 10+ years of experience advancing US space missions.
• Experience with space system programs, including spacecraft and/or ground system formulation, acquisition, development, integration, and test.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, prioritize, and resolve high-impact technical and programmatic issues for senior government and/or industry leaders.
• Demonstrated effective formation and leadership of collaborative work teams with diverse sources and locations.
• Ability to manage and deliver results on work team projects within cost and schedule constraints, including proposal development, cost tracking, and status reporting.
• Proven ability to network with contractors, government agencies, and Aerospace program offices to provide best analyses.
• Strong business and financial acumen with problem-solving; ability to make time-critical decisions with ambiguous data.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to persuade and present clearly.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction for strategic and tactical positioning of the Space Missions directorate to deliver value to customers.
• Lead teams of directors and staff to support GSFC divisions, programs, and projects.
• Collaborate with Aerospace technical backplane to integrate deep SME with on-site staff and customers.
• Oversee Aerospace work execution at GSFC ensuring it meets technical requirements within cost and schedule.
• Lead development of technical operating plans, budget control, staffing, and talent development.
• Provide technical leadership and coordinate with SMEs across distributed teams on GSFC program themes.
• Ensure organizational alignment, strategy, and staff development to retain top talent.
• Advance a culture of innovation, collaboration, and mission-focused results.

Skills

Leadership

Program Management

Systems Engineering

Budgeting

Communication

Travel willingness

Security Clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in science or engineering

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation in Greenbelt, Maryland, seeks a Principal Director - Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering to lead GSFC programs and advance mission success. You will manage teams, shape strategy, oversee budgets, and coordinate with NASA partners in a 100% onsite role at GSFC.

Ideal candidates bring 15+ years of leadership in space missions, strong communication, and a proven ability to deliver results across diverse, distributed teams.