Vehicle and Ground Concepts Department Director
DiversityJobs, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
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 Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace's strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division
leverages
a broad array of engineering disciplines against a dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities.
As part of the Enterprise Design Subdivision (EDS), the
Vehicle and Ground Concepts Department
(
VGC
D)
drives
responsive and comprehensive
space vehicle and ground system preliminary/conceptual design
, trades, and evaluation.
Working closely with corporate program offices,
VGCD
delivers
integration leadership and capabilities for conceptual design activities across the space enterprise. The department serves
US Space Force, Intelligence Community, NASA, NOAA, and commercial/international
customers.
The Director of the
Vehicle and Ground Concepts
Department will lead these efforts, build partnerships with customers, and ensure the team is staffed with top talent to solve complex challenges.
Work Model: This full-time position requires 100% onsite work in
El Segundo CA,
Colorado Springs CO
,
or
Chantilly VA
. What
You'll
Be Doing:
Develop the vision and direction for the department to execute and enhance corporate capabilities that
responsively
inform our customers'
space and ground acquisitions and architectures
.
Drive
new technology
adoption (e.g.,
generative
and agentic AI)
and adapt these to enhance systems engineering workflows
.
Identify
new
partnerships
for
growth in customer impact.
Ensure
Vehicle and Ground Concepts
Department and related corporate
activities fully
leverage
expertise
from across Aerospace
,
incorporat
ing best practices in
enterprise systems engineering
.
Manage the department, including staff performance reviews, resource allocation, and personnel management, and recommend performance improvements, career development, personnel actions, and awards.
Staff are currently
located
in
Chantilly, VA; Albuquerque, NM; Colorado Springs, CO; and El Segundo, CA
.
Serve as the primary contact for program office inquiries, frame problems, develop implementation plans, and identify
appropriate personnel
based on
expertise
.
Foster a culture of innovation and collaboration,
maintain
robust relationships with peer organizations, and lead multi-discipline
design
teams.
Coordinate and manage complex technical tasks among customers, ensuring quality and accuracy of work products.
Recruit, onboard, and develop staff through performance management, mentoring, and coaching.
Collaborate with subdivision leadership to cultivate an effective national organization.
Lead technical activities, organize project teams, and execute a variety of conceptual
design
,
evaluation
,
and
analysis activities.
What You Need to be a Successful Director,
Vehicle and Ground Concepts
Department
Bachelor's degree in engineering, science,
or a related field;
or a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and equivalent technical experience
Typically
10 or more years
demonstrated
experience leading engineering studies and analysis teams, managing/coordinating complex technical tasks among team members, and translating customer needs into actionable tasks for
engineers
Demonstrated
leadership of multidisciplinary teams involving system design,
acquisition
and/or operations in one or more of the following areas: space systems, ground systems, launch systems, or operations
Experience in hiring, supervising, mentoring, and inspiring staff
Proven ability to
initiate
and lead project teams, develop project plans,
identify
high-impact deliverables, and manage schedule commitments
Exceptional time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and to lead cross-functional teams
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to present methods and results effectively
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, adapt quickly to change, manage ambiguity, and
demonstrate
initiative under pressure
Ability to travel
approximately 15-25
% of the time
This position requires a current and active TS/SCI clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government, and the ability to pass a CI Polygraph. 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:
A graduate degree or extensive work experience
in
relevant fields
Experience with
concurrent engineering, spacecraft design, ground system design,
model-based systems engineering (MBSE), digital engineering, and/or enterprise systems engineering/architecting
Experience with generative and/or agentic AI technologies
A reputation for expanding the knowledge and/or application of
the concurrent engineering design
discipline, literature, tools, and processes
Prior experience with related Aerospace
architecting and design capabilities (CDC, PDST, MBSE, Digital Engineering)
, or similar experience at another company
Experience
leveraging
or integrating commercial capabilities/services into space mission
architectures
Experience collaborating with multiple Aerospace program offices and customers
Strong interpersonal networks within Aerospace and customer organizations
Strong connections and working experience with the National Security
Space
Community
Experience with
or supporting the acquisition of
spacecraft, payloads, ground systems, launch systems, missile systems, nuclear weapon systems
, and/or
aircraft
systems
A proven ability to
establish
and maintain effective working relationships with contractors, customers, and corporate staff
Experience leading or managing a geographically distributed team, including remote employees
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 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
equalopportunity
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 emailat
peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org
.You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal .
The Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace's strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division
leverages
a broad array of engineering disciplines against a dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities.
As part of the Enterprise Design Subdivision (EDS), the
Vehicle and Ground Concepts Department
(
VGC
D)
drives
responsive and comprehensive
space vehicle and ground system preliminary/conceptual design
, trades, and evaluation.
Working closely with corporate program offices,
VGCD
delivers
integration leadership and capabilities for conceptual design activities across the space enterprise. The department serves
US Space Force, Intelligence Community, NASA, NOAA, and commercial/international
customers.
The Director of the
Vehicle and Ground Concepts
Department will lead these efforts, build partnerships with customers, and ensure the team is staffed with top talent to solve complex challenges.
Work Model: This full-time position requires 100% onsite work in
El Segundo CA,
Colorado Springs CO
,
or
Chantilly VA
. What
You'll
Be Doing:
Develop the vision and direction for the department to execute and enhance corporate capabilities that
responsively
inform our customers'
space and ground acquisitions and architectures
.
Drive
new technology
adoption (e.g.,
generative
and agentic AI)
and adapt these to enhance systems engineering workflows
.
Identify
new
partnerships
for
growth in customer impact.
Ensure
Vehicle and Ground Concepts
Department and related corporate
activities fully
leverage
expertise
from across Aerospace
,
incorporat
ing best practices in
enterprise systems engineering
.
Manage the department, including staff performance reviews, resource allocation, and personnel management, and recommend performance improvements, career development, personnel actions, and awards.
Staff are currently
located
in
Chantilly, VA; Albuquerque, NM; Colorado Springs, CO; and El Segundo, CA
.
Serve as the primary contact for program office inquiries, frame problems, develop implementation plans, and identify
appropriate personnel
based on
expertise
.
Foster a culture of innovation and collaboration,
maintain
robust relationships with peer organizations, and lead multi-discipline
design
teams.
Coordinate and manage complex technical tasks among customers, ensuring quality and accuracy of work products.
Recruit, onboard, and develop staff through performance management, mentoring, and coaching.
Collaborate with subdivision leadership to cultivate an effective national organization.
Lead technical activities, organize project teams, and execute a variety of conceptual
design
,
evaluation
,
and
analysis activities.
What You Need to be a Successful Director,
Vehicle and Ground Concepts
Department
Bachelor's degree in engineering, science,
or a related field;
or a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and equivalent technical experience
Typically
10 or more years
demonstrated
experience leading engineering studies and analysis teams, managing/coordinating complex technical tasks among team members, and translating customer needs into actionable tasks for
engineers
Demonstrated
leadership of multidisciplinary teams involving system design,
acquisition
and/or operations in one or more of the following areas: space systems, ground systems, launch systems, or operations
Experience in hiring, supervising, mentoring, and inspiring staff
Proven ability to
initiate
and lead project teams, develop project plans,
identify
high-impact deliverables, and manage schedule commitments
Exceptional time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and to lead cross-functional teams
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to present methods and results effectively
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, adapt quickly to change, manage ambiguity, and
demonstrate
initiative under pressure
Ability to travel
approximately 15-25
% of the time
This position requires a current and active TS/SCI clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government, and the ability to pass a CI Polygraph. 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:
A graduate degree or extensive work experience
in
relevant fields
Experience with
concurrent engineering, spacecraft design, ground system design,
model-based systems engineering (MBSE), digital engineering, and/or enterprise systems engineering/architecting
Experience with generative and/or agentic AI technologies
A reputation for expanding the knowledge and/or application of
the concurrent engineering design
discipline, literature, tools, and processes
Prior experience with related Aerospace
architecting and design capabilities (CDC, PDST, MBSE, Digital Engineering)
, or similar experience at another company
Experience
leveraging
or integrating commercial capabilities/services into space mission
architectures
Experience collaborating with multiple Aerospace program offices and customers
Strong interpersonal networks within Aerospace and customer organizations
Strong connections and working experience with the National Security
Space
Community
Experience with
or supporting the acquisition of
spacecraft, payloads, ground systems, launch systems, missile systems, nuclear weapon systems
, and/or
aircraft
systems
A proven ability to
establish
and maintain effective working relationships with contractors, customers, and corporate staff
Experience leading or managing a geographically distributed team, including remote employees
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 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
equalopportunity
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 emailat
peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org
.You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal .