Space Control Systems Director

Employer 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.

Job Summary

Contested space isn’t a future problem — it’s happening now, and the integration challenges are as complex as anything in the national security space enterprise. If you want a role where the stakes are real, the problems are unsolved, and your work directly shapes how the U.S. Space Force closes critical capability gaps, this is it.

 

The Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, development planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape the future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including US Space Force, U.S Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers but also horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. DSG also assists the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

 

Aerospace is seeking a driven, technically rigorous leader to head the Space Control Department within the Mission Integration Subdivision, supporting the Space Systems Integration Office (SSIO). This role calls for sound judgment, decisive action amid uncertainty, and the ability to build trust and influence across government and partner teams.

 

As the Systems Director of the Space Control Department, you’ll lead a talented team of mission engineers working some of the hardest integration problems in space control, coordinating closely with Command, Control, Communications and Battle Management (C3BM) to drive mission engineering and integration across these mission threads. Your team will identify the risks, issues, and gaps standing between today’s architecture and tomorrow’s required capability — then do something about it, driving real change through collaboration with partners across the national security space enterprise and establishing enterprise requirements. Your team provides the technical leadership for the Integrated Assessment, giving senior leaders the definitive answer on whether — and how well — critical mission threads will close. You’ll shape architecture, inform the enterprise schedule, and lead your team’s transition toward digital engineering, ensuring the Department’s work is represented in cutting-edge digital models. This is high-visibility, high-impact work, done shoulder-to-shoulder with government counterparts who are counting on Aerospace’s independent, objective leadership to get it right.

 

If you’re the kind of leader who thrives when the path isn’t fully mapped out, who builds strong relationships because you genuinely want to solve problems with others and who is ready to lead a team at the center of one of the most important missions in national security space, we want to hear from you.

 

This position requires full-time on-site presence at our facility in El Segundo, CA — working directly alongside our government customers and partner teams.

 

What You’ll Be Doing

Lead Systems of Systems Engineering for contested space mission threads, identifying risks, issues, and gaps (RIGs), and advocate across enterprise stakeholders for prioritization and resources to close themIdentify enterprise requirements and bring them to the Configuration Control Board to update the technical baselineProvide technical leadership for the Integrated Assessment across all mission threads, incorporating STARCOM test, exercise, and analysis results, and determining whether and how well each mission thread closesContribute milestones and inputs to the enterprise Integrated Master ScheduleShape as-is, programmed, and ~5-year target architecture for your mission threads, aligned with SSIO effortsProvide technical input for digital modeling of mission engineering work and quality-control the resultsLead and manage the department: empower and delegate to team members, deliver candid feedback, and oversee hiring, staffing, budgeting, performance reviews, and recognitionWeigh financial and enterprise impact in decision-making, champion new approaches like digital engineering and AI, and adapt as duties evolve 

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science, or related technical field10+ years of experience in National Security Space systems (engineering, technical, or operational)Ability to work through ambiguous problems with minimal direction, and pivot quickly as priorities changeAbility to influence outcomes and drive results without formal authority, collaborating across organizations and managing competing prioritiesExperience empowering teams and delivering candid, timely feedbackStrong background in systems engineering and Systems of Systems Engineering (SoSE) for space systemsWillingness to travel domestically ~10–15%Active Top Secret/SCI security clearance with the ability to obtain Special Access Program (SAP) accesses, 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 these:

Master’s or PhD degree from an accredited program in engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science, or other applicable technical fieldExperience with digital engineering or model-based systems engineering, including presenting technical change proposals to a configuration control board and coordinating with Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) developmentFamiliarity with space architecture frameworks (as-is, programmed, target) and deep understanding of contested space operationsPrior Aerospace management experience building and leading integrated government, FFRDC, and SETA teamsCurrent SAP/SAR accesses 

 

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, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

$168,200.00 - $252,400.00

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

Operate StrategicallyLead 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

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

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 [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.