The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nations 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, youll 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 Materiel 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.

We are seeking an Associate Principal Director for our Western Range at Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB), California. This person will be the senior Aerospace leader at VSFB and will support the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) based Principal Director that has oversight of CCSFS and VSFB launch site operations. As the senior Aerospace leader at VSFB, this person will be expected to resolve problems quickly, execute processes and procedures, and work closely with leaders, colleagues and customers across the enterprise to ensure defined responsibilities are supported. This person will additionally serve as the deputy to the Principal Director for execution of all launch site support activities.

This person will be required to work full-time, on-site at our VSFB office location in California.

What Youll Be Doing

Focal and overall responsibility for Sentinel, Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Spacelift Telemetry Acquisition and Reporting System (STARS) facilities and operations at VSFB and CCSFS, and VSFB Infrastructure support:

Budget responsibility for areas of focus as well as overall operations at VSFB

Overall responsibility and unique authority for Missile Programs Mission Assurance process

Assigned personnel management and staff compliance with Aerospace policies, processes, and practices

Provide safety and operations engineering support to the applicable program office

Work to identify and provide the right Aerospace resources to execute the focus areas

Overall responsibility for work execution within the focus areas

Coordinate with and support Space Force customer counterparts within the areas of focus

Bi-Weekly report inputs in conjunction with applicable System Director

Support to NSS Launch Programs and New Entrant Certification efforts:

Administrative support for CCSFS personnel traveling to VSFB and for VSFB based personnel

Facilitate seating/office space for CCSFS traveling personnel

Facilitate seating/office space for NSS Launch Programs Tiger Team traveling personnel

Provide awareness to Principal Director and applicable Launch Program System Directors for significant VSFB infrastructure and base issues or other program issues (i.e., MDA, Sentinel etc.) that could impact NSS Launch Programs

Support meetings with VSFB Space Force personnel related to Launch Program support and provide awareness to Principal Director and applicable Launch Program System Directors for significant issues or questions

Host the Aerospace Launch Readiness Review (ALRR) for VSFB NSS Launch Program missions and coordinate with the Principal Director and applicable Launch Program System Director on date/time (Presentation developed and conducted by applicable Launch Program System Director)

As schedule allows, shadow rehearsal and day of launch operations via on-console support

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements Associate Principal Director:

Bachelor of Science, Engineering or applicable technical degree

A minimum of 15 years of technical engineering experience along with a deep understanding in managing personnel and operating budgets

Proven leadership skills to manage personnel working across a broad customer base

Technical fluency in the areas of ballistic missile systems, launch site operations and infrastructure (particularly at VSFB), and mission assurance processes

Professional communication & interpersonal skills: leadership, collaboration, resiliency, strategic thinking, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, judgment, business acumen, and decision making, across all levels of the organization

Ability to handle sensitive and personnel-related information appropriately and support sensitive management functions

Ability to work cooperatively with a diverse team across multiple locations to proactively deliver innovative solutions and resolve issues with minimal direction

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET security 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:

Prior experience in functioning in a deputy role

Familiarity with NSS launch vehicle design, processing, and launch operations

Familiarity with VSFB Space Force customer personnel

The ability to travel periodically to CCSFS

Familiarity with Aerospace corporate organizational structures, policies, processes, and practices

Experience with classified data handling

A current and active SECRET//Top SECRET//SCI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government is highly preferred. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

We offer a competitive compensation package where youll 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)

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 otherthe 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 youre 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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal .