Portfolio Analysis Department 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 Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities.

As part of the Enterprise Design Subdivision (EDS), the Portfolio Analysis Department (PAD) drives responsive and comprehensive trades in customer portfolios. Working closely with corporate program offices, PAD delivers portfolio decision insights that expand options for senior leaders and accelerates delivery of end effects. PAD integrates technical expertise, system analysis, and design capabilities from across the corporation. The Associate Director of the Portfolio Analysis Department will support the director to lead these efforts, build partnerships with customers, and ensure the team is staffed with top talent to solve complex challenges.

Work Model:

This full-time position requires 100% onsite work in El Segundo CA or Chantilly VA.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Support the director in developing the vision and direction for the department to execute and enhance corporate capabilities that inform our customers’ architecture, systems-of-systems, and enterprise decisions.

• Ensure Portfolio Analysis Department and related corporate activities fully leverage expertise from across Aerospace, incorporating best practices in enterprise systems engineering.

• Assist in the management of the department, including staff performance reviews, resource allocation, and personnel management, and recommend performance improvements, career development, personnel actions, and awards.

• Serve as a contact for program office inquiries, frame problems, develop implementation plans, and identify appropriate personnel based on expertise.

• Foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, maintain robust relationships with peer organizations, and lead multi-discipline analyst teams.

• Identify new partnerships for future portfolio analysis growth in customer impact.

• Coordinate and manage complex technical tasks among customers, ensuring quality and accuracy of work products.

• Recruit, onboard, and develop staff through performance management, mentoring, and coaching.

• Collaborate with subdivision leadership to cultivate an effective national organization.

• Lead technical activities, organize project teams, and execute a variety of architecture conceptualization, assessment, analysis, and portfolio analysis activities.

What You Need to be a Successful Associate Director, Portfolio Analysis Department

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, physics, operations research, mathematics, or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and equivalent technical experience

• Typically 10 or more years demonstrated experience leading engineering studies and analysis teams, managing/coordinating complex technical tasks among team members, and translating customer needs into actionable tasks for analysts

• Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary teams involving system design, acquisition and/or operations in one or more of the following areas: space systems, ground systems, launch systems, or operations

• Experience in hiring, supervising, mentoring, and inspiring staff

• Proven ability to initiate and lead project teams, develop project plans, identify high-impact deliverables, and manage schedule commitments

• Exceptional time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and to lead cross-functional teams

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to present methods and results effectively

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, adapt quickly to change, manage ambiguity, and demonstrate initiative under pressure

• Ability to travel approximately 15-25% of the time

• This position requires a current and active TS/SCI clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government, and the ability to pass a CI Polygraph. 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:

• A graduate degree or extensive work experience in relevant fields

• Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE), digital engineering, system of systems engineering, and/or enterprise systems engineering/architecting

• A reputation for expanding the knowledge and/or application of systems-of-systems engineering and architecting discipline, literature, tools, and processes

• Prior experience with related Aerospace architecting and design capabilities (CDC, PDST, MBSE, Digital Engineering), or experience with portfolio management tools and processes

• Experience leveraging or integrating commercial capabilities/services into space mission architectures

• Experience collaborating with multiple Aerospace program offices and customers

• Strong interpersonal networks within Aerospace and customer organizations

• Strong connections and working experience with the National Security Space Community

• Experience with or supporting the acquisition of spacecraft, payloads, ground systems, launch systems, missile systems, nuclear weapon systems, and/or aircraft systems

• A proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with contractors, customers, and corporate staff

• Experience leading or managing a geographically distributed team, including remote employees

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)
$168,200.00 - $252,400.00

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:

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Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

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Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

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Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

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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

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Flexible spending accounts