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.

The Information Systems and Cyber Division (ISCD) is a world-class engineering and scientific leader in electronics and cybersecurity engineering. The Embedded & Specialized Computing Department (ESCD) resides within ISCD and focuses on embedded prototyping including FPGA/SoC HDL design, flight software, PCB design, and distributed computing. ESCD is also a leader in embedded platform machine learning and embedded security. We support a variety of customers including the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), and other civil customers (e.g. NASA) in order to resolve unique challenges in implementation and research.

We are currently seeking a Director for the Embedded & Specialized Computing Department which can sit in either El Segundo, CA or Chantilly, VA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Recruit, hire, mentor, and lead engineering staff to create cutting edge prototypes in the fields of embedded computing platforms.
• Collaborate with outside organizations to provide technical support and outreach of ESCD technical capabilities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with program offices to sustain the department's activities.
• Develop and mentor managers within the department.
• Personally perform embedded related engineering tasks as appropriate, including hands on development
• Work with other departments to provide technical demonstrations and capabilities.
• Manage staff who reside both in El Segundo, CA and Chantilly, VA.
• Develop and execute the department's technical strategy and guide the department's research and development portfolio.
• Build teams with appropriate skill sets and coordinate staffing and priorities to ensure excellent support to customers.
• Assign resources, determine staffing needs, coordinate activities, and communicate with requisite stakeholders

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university in electrical engineering, computer science, or another related discipline
• 8 or more  years of relevant experience in design, analysis, test, and verification of digital and microelectronic hardware, including ASIC and/or FPGA design
• Fluency with three or more of the following programming languages: VHDL/Verilog, Python, C/C++ and MATLAB within Unix/Linux programming environments
• Demonstrated ability to provide departmental strategic and budget planning, workforce planning, recruiting, and staffing, succession planning, personnel development, and customer relationships
• Previous management experience with highly technical staff
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal and working relationships with various levels of corporate staff, peers, management, program offices, customers, and contractors
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate employee performance, especially in a remote working environment
• Outstanding interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills for interactions at all organizational levels  
• Willing to travel domestically up to 10%
• Current and active Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information access (Secret/SCI) government clearance

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Advanced degree from an accredited university in electrical engineering, computer science, or another related discipline
• Expert knowledge in design, analysis, test, and verification of digital and microelectronic hardware, including ASIC and/or FPGA design
• Experience with software architecture, review, and design for critical systems
• Deep understanding of technical disciplines relating to advanced machine learning, multi-core architectures, embedded security, or payload integration
• Previous experience with spacecraft design and/or command and control systems
• Current and active Top-Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information access TS/SCI government clearance

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.