Principal Director - Civil & Commercial Launch Projects

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 Material 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. Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

As the Principal Director for Civil & Commercial Launch Projects (CCLP) sub-division within the Launch Systems Division, you will lead the group bringing launch expertise to bear for our civil, commercial, and international customers.  This work necessitates a close relationship with the Civil Systems Group, particularly their NASA Programs Division.  In addition, CCLP is responsible for management of “small launch” activities for the Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP), located at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA. This role will include frequent travel to Albuquerque, NM, NASA Centers, and other U.S. locations.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Managing and leading a geographically dispersed team providing launch expertise to a variety of customers – civil, commercial, international, and Department of War.
• Managing schedules, budgets and personnel resources for execution of work for these customers.
• Maintaining a close relationship with the Civil Systems Group for business development and execution of launch work.  This includes the NASA Programs Division (particularly their Space Transportation Directorate), the Federal and Commercial Programs Division, and the Development and Program Operations Directorate.
• Acting as LMM representative to the corporate Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) Review Committee.
• Acting as DSG representative to the Corporate IPT for Strategy and Policy.
• Chairing the Emerging Launch Community of Interest, with participation from across the corporation to exchange information on new launch providers.
• Engaging with the larger space enterprise at conferences and symposia to build relationships, engage potential customers, assess the market, and establish a positive reputation for Aerospace.
• Manage indirect budgets, both overhead and CSG-allocated business development funds.
• Develop the next set of leaders and launch experts by leveraging your leadership skills and expertise
• Maintain and grow the relationship with the Space Innovation Directorate

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Principal Director:

• Bachelor’s or Advanced degree from an accredited program in engineering, mathematics, physical sciences or other discipline relevant to launch system integration.
• 15 or more years demonstrating progressively more responsible experience in technical developments, acquisition of space systems and/or space launch operations
• Direct experience with space launch and general working knowledge of today’s launch systems
• Proven experience as a people leader
• Proven capability of creating and executing plans with long-term impact
• Outstanding communication skills both with executives and subject matter experts.
• Willing to travel domestically up to 30% of the time across a year.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, 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 several of these:

• Direct experience with the Aerospace business development process, including identifying and targeting leads, engaging in the capture process, and building proposals
• Direct experience leading off-ceiling work, including building teams, managing execution, and tracking spending
• Experience working closely with the USSF Launch Enterprise
• Experience working with NASA
• Familiarity with the “small launch” landscape
• Demonstrated enterprise-level perspective with prior Aerospace Program Office(s) and ETG experience
• Expertise in developing budgets and schedules to meet mission requirements
• Experience managing matrixed engineering resources.
• Ability to obtain a Top Secret/SCI clearance

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)

$208,000.00 - $312,000.00

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 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

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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.