Systems Director - Objective Force Planning and Integration

aero; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 168,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health care and wellness

Relocation assistance

Education assistance programs

An inclusive work environment

Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in Crystal City, VA, is seeking a Systems Director for Objective Force Planning and Integration to lead our growing Space Futures Integration Directorate. You will guide how Space Force design concepts become executable force designs, translate technical insights for senior leaders, and build a high‑performing, cross‑functional team.

This full‑time, on-site role requires a Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field, 12+ years in space systems and systems

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Mathematics, or a related technical field.
• 12 or more years of progressively responsible technical experience in space systems and systems engineering or acquisition.
• Ability to work in complex, multi-disciplinary environments and thrive in fast-paced settings.
• Familiarity with Space Force mission and dynamics.
• Strong verbal and written communication for senior leadership.
• Current TS/SCI clearance or ability to obtain

Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplinary team shaping how the Space Force builds its future force.
• Interface with Space Force leaders to translate technical insights into actionable recommendations.
• Identify opportunities to connect vision to architectural design with rigor.
• Define role in long-term Space Force ideation and planning (15+ years).
• Support adoption of new integration frameworks in a digital environment.
• Maintain interagency relationships and communicate risks and opportunities to senior leaders.
• Lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects with timely integration.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Program Management

Leadership

Communication

Security Clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Mathematics, or a related technical field

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 Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers’ portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation.

As part of the Space Enterprise and Warfighting Division, the Space Futures Integration Directorate provides technical advice, thought leadership, and systems engineering support to Space Force S9, Force Design and Analysis. This new Space Force Headquarters organization is responsible for driving the future of the Space Force through horizon scanning and foresighting, concept development, technology assessments, wargaming, experimentation, and force design and integration. We are seeking a Systems Director for Objective Force Planning and Integration to help lead our growing Aerospace team. We are at the leading edge of a new Space Force organization; this Systems Director should have vision, an entrepreneurial mindset, and be comfortable with ambiguity and change. You will work collaboratively with the Principal Director to build the backbone of S9 activities connecting strategic vision to executable future force design.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Crystal City, VA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Build and lead a team of Aerospace personnel shaping how the Space Force builds its future force.
• Interface directly with military and civilian Space Force leaders in Crystal City and the Pentagon, translating technical insights into actionable recommendations.
• Identify new opportunities for better connecting vision to architectural design and non-materiel solutions with engineering rigor.
• Define our role in far-future (15+ year) Space Force ideation and planning.
• Support adoption and refinement of new integration frameworks in a digital environment.
• Cultivate and maintain interagency relationships with government, FFRDC, SETA, and industry partners to ensure cohesive communication channels.
• Provide timely, strategic communications to senior leaders on integration issues, potential risks, and opportunities for process improvements.
• Function effectively in a fast-paced environment tackling ambiguous problems with creativity and initiative.
• Lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects concurrently, ensuring timely and impactful integration of force designs.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements Systems Director - Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Mathematics, or a related technical field from an accredited institution.
• 12 or more years of progressively responsible technical experience in space systems, programs, and systems engineering or acquisition.
• Demonstrated ability to work in complex, multi-disciplinary environments and thrive in fast-paced, dynamic settings.
• Familiarity with the Space Force mission, organizations, and dynamics
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively present complex analytical results to senior leadership.
• This position requires a current Top Secret/ SCI clearance, with the ability to obtain and maintain additional security clearances, which are issued by the U.S. government; 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 the following

• Advanced degree in a relevant technical field.
• Extensive knowledge of service headquarters processes and the relationship between Pentagon and field organizations.
• Prior experience with leading force-level design integration activities with model-based systems engineering practices.
• Demonstrated example of building a team to deliver increasing impact to a customer set.
• Experience facilitating cross-organizational collaboration.
• Working knowledge of Aerospace Engineering and Technology Group (ETG) organizations, tools, skills, and capabilities
• Demonstrates enterprise-level perspective with prior Program Office(s) and ETG experience

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,geneticinformation, 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.

(Min - Max) $168,200.00 - $252,400.00 Pay Basis: Annual