Systems Director - Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office

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.
The Systems Director - Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office will fall within our Special Programs Division (SPD). They will lead the Aerospace teams providing technical expertise, engineering and acquisition support in the development and fielding of the highest priority cutting-edge warfighting capabilities, matrixing critical skills to the entire DAF-RCO portfolio. The Systems Director will also perform day-to-day management activities and be responsible for strategic customer engagement and Aerospace backplane activities.
The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Joint Base Anacostia Bolling, Washington, D.C.
What You’ll Be Doing
Developing and executing an engagement and program portfolio development strategy to position Aerospace to provide a meaningful and growing impact to the DAF-RCO mission
Leading Aerospace teams providing technical and engineering support to DAF-RCO programs across all aspects of the engineering lifecycle from initial concept and architecture requirements development, through acquisition, test and operations
Leading and conducting independent technical assessments based on direct analysis, data, testing artifacts, acquisitions materials, strategic planning and other artifacts
Overseeing and conducting comprehensive risk analysis and impact assessments to enable fully informed government decisions across both technical and acquisitions domains
Providing program management functions within SPD including development of resource loaded plans to ensure Aerospace work products are properly scoped and executed within budget
Ensuring timely and quality reporting within Aerospace and to customers, both written and verbal, and other products as needed
Engaging across the entirety of the Aerospace enterprise to meet customer needs including leveraging labs, ETG in depth technical reach back and other program office support
Representing DAF-RCO’s point of view in Aerospace backplane communications
Hiring and developing staff, including cultivating Aerospace Engineering and Technology Group (ETG) support and other reach-back from across the corporation to support current and future needs
Managing and directing assigned personnel and providing feedback on their performance
Serving as key member of the SPD leadership team and collaborating with other SPD leaders
Defining requirements and standards for DAF-RCO program reviews, design, development, test, and transition to operations efforts
Working closely with DAF-RCO leadership and Program Managers
Working closely with members of a diverse team of military, government civilians, prime contractors, SE&I contractors, FFRDCs, and National Laboratories
What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements for Systems Director – Engineering Program Management and Systems Engineering:
BS degree in engineering, mathematics, or physical sciences is required or an equivalent combination of training and experience
12 or more years of progressively responsible experience in systems engineering, program management, or other technical fields.
Demonstrated ability to form and lead teams
Experience with program planning and execution
Demonstrated ability to work in a highly dynamic Program Office environment with a mix of government, FFRDC, and SETA personnel including regular and effective interactions with senior Government leaders
Demonstrated strong technical leadership, interpersonal and team building skills
Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills; experience presenting and writing technical information
Travel is required (10-25%)
This position requires a current TS/SCI security clearance with SAP eligibility, which is issued by the US Government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
This position requires working full time in a secure facility and current TS/SCI and SAP/SAR accesses
Past demonstration of Aerospace’s Leadership Competency Model elements: leading change, operating strategically, fostering innovation, delivering results, and engaging with impact
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:
Advanced degree in technical subject area (engineering, science or math)
Experience developing and integrating DoW and/or intelligence Community (IC) space capabilities, missions and/or programs in standard and rapid acquisitions environments
Experience with the structure, approach and culture of the DAF-RCO
Demonstrates enterprise-level perspective with prior Program Office(s) and ETG experience
Extensive (more than 10+ years) working SAP/SAR programs
An excellent personal technical reputation and a record of personal technical achievement
Program office and management experience
We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring