System Director, Commercial Space Analysis and Integration

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 Aerospace Corporation is committed to advancing and accelerating the application of U.S. commercial space capabilities in direct support of government customers through its Commercial Space Futures Office (CSFO). CSFO is an organization within the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) which supports the U.S. space enterprise to maximize U.S. government access to and incorporation of commercial space capabilities and technologies.
The Commercial Space Futures Office (CSFO) faces three directions at once: internally, as a change agent influencing the Aerospace Corporation's enterprise; externally, as direct and supplementary decision support to our National Security and Civil space agencies; and externally, as key influencers to the markets driving innovation in the space economy. CSFO actively engages in each direction simultaneously to help shape the future of our National space enterprise. As part of the CSFO team, the System Director, Commercial Space Futures Strategy & Analysis, will build high-functioning hybrid teams comprising both direct-reporting and matrixed Aerospace technical and financial subject matter experts. The System Director will lead in-depth technical and market analysis, and foresighting of the Space Innovation Base (SIB). This leader will develop and create analysis products that lead space agency needs with data-driven conclusions on the current and projected state of SIB sectors, including recommended impact points that could change the trajectory of technology or markets for the benefit of our government space agencies and the wider space economy. With insight into high-level national security and Civil space roadmaps, and the opportunity to engage with innovative companies, influential investors, and government policy makers, you'll have the chance to make a significant impact influencing informed investments in the space industry and the US national space ecosystem.
Work Model
This is a full-time position based in one of three locations: El Segundo, CA; the Greater Washington, DC Metro Area; or Colorado Springs, CO. For this position, Aerospace offers a hybrid work model that combines a minimum of 3 regular onsite workdays with remote flexibility as the business needs allow. Domestic and international travel will be required up to 30% of the time.
What You'll Be Doing
As the Director for CSF Strategy & Analysis (S&A), you will lead the establishment and maturation of a function to produce objective, independent, data-driven commercial assessments of integrated technical, market, and business factors to support customer strategic and programmatic decision-making, and to support market signaling in the public interest. You'll also be developing partnerships with and engaging with innovative companies and their investors, as well as partner organizations to accumulate insight and collaborate on market research. You will:

• Develop an independent commercial analysis playbook to establish a repeatable, data-driven, objective, and OCI-free process for assessing and foresighting emerging commercial and innovation base markets, technologies, and business landscapes
• Lead multidisciplinary teams of senior-level subject matter experts to produce and validate through market and customer engagement an initial set of products focused on a prioritized list of subjects
• Evaluate government technology and capability roadmaps to prioritize research areas to plan and execute analysis efforts that will provide results "left of architecture" to fuel a positive feedback loop that influences investments both by the US Government as well as private capital markets.
• Establish partner teams across supporting functions within Aerospace to plan and resource engineering, analyst and foresighting resources to meet schedule and budget.
• Build and sustain value-additive and mission enabling strategic relationships with commercial space providers, venture and equity investors, space and non-space technology experts and companies; to include, but not limited to, other FFRDCs and UARCs, government and other representatives from multiple agencies and activities representing or supporting current and potential future commercial space acquisition and/or integration efforts.
• Develop Aerospace Commercial Space Futures into thought leaders on the state and trajectory of the broader space economy, with emphasis on the US Government's various roles in it as buyer, regulator, and investor.
• With the Principal Director, Commercial Space Futures and the Aerospace Executive leadership team, engage with key upper-echelon US Government space agency stakeholders across Defense, Civil, and Intelligence to develop CSF S&A as an enduring Aerospace function that supports the entire enterprise independent of acquisition offices and programs.
• With the Principal Director, Commercial Space Futures and peers across the Aerospace enterprise, support the execution of the Aerospace Corporation's Commercial Space Strategy and lead priority lines of effort within it
• Act as senior mentor to team members and peers across Aerospace, providing guidance and perspectives on commercial products/services, business approaches, and development philosophies
• Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed as our government space agencies evolve in their consideration of commercial capability integration

What You Need to be Successful - System Director
Minimum Requirements:

• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field or equivalent is required
• 12 or more years of applicable professional experience including supervisory roles in government or commercial space entities, related technologies or services, and/or space or frontier technology development, engineering, and/or program management is required
• Proven high-performing team builder and leader, adept at identifying additive, potentially unconventional skills from multi-dimensionally diverse backgrounds, collaborating across organizational lines to get stakeholders with diverse interests to align and deliver on common goals
• Proactive, fast learner with the willingness and ability to lead change through fog and friction in a dynamic, hi-visibility environment
• Proven systems engineering or system-of-systems engineering experience assessing technical, operational, or engineering feasibility and suitability of potential solutions to needs, including performance, resiliency/durability, cost, schedule, and/or fit into a broader enterprise.
• Strong analytical background, adept at examining strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks/threats in technology trends and customer strategies; identifying and proposing mitigations to risks/threats and means to leverage opportunities at the architecture, program, project, interface, or operational level.

How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• A current and active TS/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government, is strongly preferred. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Experience in or currently performing at a strategic level, such as leading business development activities, including developing or executing go-to-market plans and strategies for new, innovative products and services in the aerospace and defense or broader frontier technology markets
• Experience with venture capital, private equity, and investment bank roles in the innovation / technology ecosystem, particularly financial due diligence and/or product-market fit evaluations
• Advanced degree in a STEM field or a Business/Finance equivalent
• Familiarity in multiple applications of or functions accomplished by National Security, Civil, and Commercial Space Systems and relevant emerging technologies

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 - $252,400
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 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 Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.