Director of Avionics and Software for Falcon LV Ops and Development
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.
At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.
As the Avionics & Software Systems Director for the Falcon Ops and Development team you will manage and provide guidance for a team of project engineers supporting the execution of National Security Space Launches (NSSL) on the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy LV. This team will evaluate the certification progress and perform Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V) of the Avionics Systems and Software on the Falcon Launch Vehicle for Space Force missions.
The Launch Systems Operations and Certification team within the Launch Systems Division is seeking a well-qualified person with demonstrated leadership and exceptional communication abilities. As the Avionics & Software Systems Director for the Falcon Ops and Development team you will manage and provide direction for a team of project engineers supporting the execution of National Security Space Launches (NSSL) on the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy LV. This team will evaluate the certification progress and perform Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V) for USSF NSSL missions. You will be accountable for ensuring the team consistently provides technically sound and objective assessments along with recommendations to Aerospace and Space Force leadership within appropriate timelines and budget allocations for the purposes of launch vehicle certification and operational mission assurance. You will also be responsible for providing direction, mentorship and developing the technical and functional capabilities of the team while also building effective working relationships with Air Force team, contractor counterparts, and other interested parties (e.g. NRO and NASA).
What You'll Be Doing
- Provide direction, planning, and management of technical staff and activities associated with the Avionics Systems and Software for the Falcon Launch Vehicles
- Assign resources, synchronize staffing needs, and coordinate activities
- Establish and communicate organizational objectives and goals
- Participate in higher management planning, budgeting and resource allocation
- Provide mentoring and guidance for staff in addition to identifying opportunities for performance improvement and conducting performance evaluations
- Interface regularly at the working-level and management level to ensure accurate and effective assignment of customer tasks
- Foster productive working relationships within the organization and with the customer and contractor community to facilitate identification and mitigation of risks to mission success
- Organize staff and engineering teams across multiple disciplines to provide rigorous, impartial and technically accurate assessments and address programmatic impacts
- Effectively communicate status and progress of technical activities, issues, and accomplishments through reports and briefings to Aerospace, Air Force, and contractor teams
What You Need to be Successful
- Bachelor's degree in an appropriate technical discipline from a recognized institution
- Preferably 12 years or more of progressively accountable professional engineering/scientific experience, including substantial experience in a managerial role with proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of contractors, customers, and corporate staff
- Must have experience leading team(s) comprised of diversely skilled and experienced engineers
- A current Secret Clearance or the ability to obtain/maintain a Secret Clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
- Effective interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to effectively and efficiently to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of customer and corporate staff
How You Can Stand Out
- Experience with development, investigation, and testing of Launch Vehicle’s for USAF/USSF missions
- MS degree in engineering or related field from a recognized institution is preferred
- Previous position or experience in leadership and management role(s)
- Demonstrated ability to effectively and efficiently to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of customer and corporate staff
- Knowledge and experience with Aerospace launch verification processes
- Experience with testing and/or analysis of launch vehicle systems
- Experience with systems engineering and verification of requirements
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 diverse 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/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. 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 The Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law and the supplement, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.