Systems Director - Realization Office

aero; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in Chantilly, VA, is seeking a Systems Director, Realization Office, to lead a diverse team in bringing resilient space systems from concept to deployment. This role requires executive-level leadership and delivery across the full system lifecycle.

Applicants should have a strong track record in space systems engineering or acquisition, excellent communication, and the ability to manage budgets and staffing while maintaining mission assurance. On-site work is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science or Math from an accredited institution.
• At least 12 years of experience in space systems engineering or acquisition.
• Proven leadership of teams, programs or products.
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills to engage executives.
• Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph and US citizenship.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performance team across the system lifecycle from design through operations.
• Identify design challenges and manage technical risk before it emerges.
• Coordinate with Engineering Technology Group for high-impact initiatives.
• Represent Aerospace initiatives to customers and management.
• Maintain mission assurance plans and publish reports to stakeholders.
• Mentor team members in leadership and executive communication skills.
• Foster collaboration, innovation, and professional growth within the group.
• Oversee budgets, staffing, and recruitment planning.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Executive communication

Stakeholder management

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science or Math

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 (IC) 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 Advanced Technology Division, Survivability and Resilience Office (SRO) operates on the leading edge of developing the next generation of resilient capabilities for our IC customers and mission partners. Our focus is on R&D, technology maturation, risk reduction, end-to-end capability and effective integration to enable successful demonstrations and major system acquisitions. The office has cross-organizational reach across the Space Enterprise and manages varying mission assurance models tailored to meet customer acquisition approaches.

We are looking for a Systems Director, Realization Office (RO) within the SRO to lead a diverse Aerospace team of high performers in bringing ideas to reality for resiliency space systems. This critical leadership position provides the opportunity to showcase corporate engineering and laboratory capabilities while advancing the art of the possible and informing risk reduction strategies for significant cutting edge customer initiatives.

The selected candidate will be required to work 100% on-site in Chantilly, VA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading a high-performance team versed in resilient space and ground systems engineering activities across all phases of the system lifecycle to include technology maturation, design, integration, test and operations
• Operating strategically to identify design challenges, implementation issues, integration disconnects and technical risk reduction activities ahead of need
• Effectively utilizing reach back to the Engineering Technology Group for scoping high impact Aerospace initiatives that drive solutions
• Representing Aerospace initiatives on resilient space systems to the customers and Aerospace management
• Keeping customers informed about issues/risks/concerns and recommended mitigation approaches, and maintaining a current mission assurance plan with regular publication of mission assurance reports to customers and Aerospace management
• Mentoring Aerospace team members on leadership competencies and executive presentation skills that empower employees to achieve their goals
• Fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional growth
• Performing office management responsibilities to include managing budgets for personnel deliveries and other direct charges, working with staff on performance development / growth and recruiting and hiring ahead of need

What You Need to be Successful

• Minimum Requirements for Systems Director - Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering :
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science or Math from an accredited institution
• At least 12 years of experience in space systems, space technology development and/or space systems acquisition
• Leadership experience over people, projects or products in a dynamic environment
• Initiative and a strong desire to lead in a dynamic environment with an ability to handle multiple efforts concurrently
• Impactful verbal, written and presentation skills and ability to communicate with a range of customers, program managers, engineers, and senior leaders
• Ability to build partnering relationships with contractors and /or mission partners
• Willing to travel domestically when deemed necessary for impact
• This position requires an active TS/SCI security clearance with SSBI and polygraph, which is issued by the US government. US Citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

• It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
• Masters and/or PhD in Engineering, Science or Math from an accredited institution
• Broad experience across the space systems acquisition lifecycle
• Depth in one or more competencies from spacecraft, technologies or ground
• Knowledge of mission assurance processes and standards

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. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, know