Acquisition Planning & Decision Analytics Associate Director

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 Systems Engineering Division (SED) provides unmatched experience in systems engineering to the U.S. government and to numerous public and private agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, consortia, and commercial companies involved in the advanced application of space technology. From systems architecture development to system analysis and optimization, astrodynamics, orbital debris, navigation, failure analysis, mission assurance, cost and schedule assessment, and economic market analysis, SED exploits an incredibly broad array of engineering and business disciplines against a dynamic portfolio of programs and national challenges.

The Acquisition Planning and Decision Analytics (APDA) Department applies innovative acquisition, systems engineering, and data engineering strategies, expertise, and capabilities to inform customer decisions on evolving needs and threats. In this position, the candidate will lead the Integrated Acquisition Enablers Section in advancing its digital and data engineering capabilities to enable enterprise integration and provide timely data insights and impacts related to acquisition planning, risk, and forecasting and systems engineering of space, launch, and ground assets.  In this role, the candidate will lead and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and should be able to effectively communicate with all levels of corporate leadership.  Primary customers include Corporate Offices, DOD, DOE (NNSA), NASA, and Intelligence Community (IC) agencies.

Work Model

This is a full-time position based in Chantilly, VA offering a hybrid work model that combines at least 4 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business needs allow. 

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

What You’ll Be Doing

As an Associate Director in APDA, you will lead with emotional intelligence, fostering teamwork and innovation for a high performing team which develops rapid digital engineering data-driven capabilities that inform acquisition and systems engineering decisions. You will work collaboratively with the APDA Director in supervising the operations and staffing of the department and in shaping and executing its strategies. 

• Collaborate with APDA and Acquisition and Economic Planning and Analysis Subdivision (AEPAS) leadership to establish and execute organizational strategies and goals, and champion them to staff and interfacing matrix organizations
• Foster an environment that encourages and enables collaboration, innovation, and opportunities aligned with organizational goals
• Guide the development and enhancement of the department’s people, products, processes, and performance with an emphasis on quality and excellence
• Seek opportunities to build the department brand, grow our customer base, and leverage our capabilities and expertise to support evolving space acquisition, systems engineering, and data engineering needs
• Collaborate with internal and external customers and partners to elevate impact
• Lead technical projects focused on acquisition, systems engineering, data engineering, and digital engineering
• Maintain technical currency in acquisition, systems engineering, and digital and data engineering practices

The most critical leadership competencies for this role are Lead from the Front, Collaborate across the Enterprise, and Operate with Speed and Agility.

• Relationship building is critical to delivering effective support addressing internal and external customer needs, including, but not limited to embracing new and innovative perspectives, building effective coalitions, and motivating others to embrace change 
• Strategic contributions include championing the digital transformation across the subdivision to improve efficiency, knowledge sharing, and timeliness of data to inform acquisition decisions, and envisioning future scenarios and the impact on the existing work to best position the section and department for operational resilience

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related engineering, mathematics, science, or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution
• Strong relationship-building skills to enable frequent communication across a range of customers on defining projects and deliverables, building acquisition and systems engineering capabilities based on user need, as well as, growing and managing a high-performance team
• Demonstrated experience in formulation of technical task planning, developing and leading cross-functional teams, issue resolution, and orchestrating task balance across a team
• Understanding of the FFRDC role and Aerospace policies and practices, and working within its context
• Familiarity with space, launch, and/or ground systems acquisition and/or operations and USAF, USSF, IC, civil, and commercial acquisition and systems engineering policies and advanced space technologies
• Demonstrated expertise in communications, especially presenting and writing technical documentation 
• Ability to be flexible, adaptable, including ability to manage multiple simultaneous tasks and willingness to participate in occasional business travel
• This position requires a current and active TS/SCI clearance, which is 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:

• Customer-facing experience in Systems Engineering or Acquisition with at least 12 years of applicable experience in space systems development planning in at least two of the three following areas: early systems definition, architecture-level tradeoffs, project planning, requirements definition, readiness evaluations, and program reviews for space and ground systems; translating technical and programmatic information into acquisition assessments and providing guidance on acquisition approaches to increase efficiencies and minimize risk; development and/or assessment of acquisition strategies
• Experience with non-traditional / innovative acquisition strategies, such as Agile, rapid prototyping / fielding, and other transaction authority (OTA)
• Previous project lead or management experience, preferably involving staffing, supervision, and assessment of direct reports and/or delivery of work products to the customer
• Demonstrated experience working within the Aerospace culture, especially orchestrating projects among various Aerospace, customer, and contractor organizations and leveraging ETG reach back
• Experience as a customer-facing program office member as an Aerospace employee
• Demonstrated experience with at least two of the following space mission areas: GEOINT, SIGINT, Multi-INT, Ground, Science / Weather, Space Communications, Mission Enablers
• Experience applying digital acquisition and/or digital engineering to a major acquisition
• Familiarity with Jira and establishing automated workflows
• An advanced degree in engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, or a related field
• Professional certification(s) in a relevant engineering and/or program management area

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 [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.