Systems Director - MILSATCOM Product Support

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 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.

The Communication and Navigation Capabilities Division (CNCD) supports the critical government systems that compose the United States Space Force’s Satellite Communications & Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (SCPNT) portfolio. The Comm, PNT, and SCN Ops and Sustainment Subdivision within CNCD supports the critical operations and sustainment of the Space Force’s communications, navigation, and Satellite Control Network (SCN) systems operations and sustainment in Colorado Springs.

The Systems Director for the MILSATCOM Product Support sub-division will lead an important team supporting high-priority Combat Forces Command (CFC) missions and customers at Peterson Space Force Base. The position will require engagement and collaboration with MD8/8th Sustainment Squadron (8STS) leadership, as well as working across multiple stakeholders, including the government, SE&I contractors, FFRDC partners, International Partners and other industry partners.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our customer site at Peterson Space Force Base.

What You’ll Be Doing

- Direct the MILSATCOM Product Support Department within the Comm, PNT, and SCN Ops and Sustainment (CPSOS) Subdivision in the Communication and Navigation Capabilities Division (CNCD). The successful applicant will lead a team of program office engineers and ETG support in their responsibilities and accountabilities associated with the sustainment of the Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) systems enterprise.
- Provide technical direction and leadership to the MILSATCOM Sustainment Directorate staff in the execution of engineering, integration, and oversight of all MILSATCOM sustainment activities.
- Provide operations and systems engineering support for Advanced EHF, Defense Satellite Communications System III, Enhanced Polar System, Milstar, and Wideband Global SATCOM communication systems.
- Responsible for development and sustainment support of the Command Control System – Consolidated (CCS-C), the Wideband SATCOM Operational Management Subsystem (WSOMS) and the AEHF Satellite Mission Control Segment (ASMCS).
- Technical responsibilities include direct support to planning and execution of complex operations, launch, on-orbit testing, investigation and resolution of satellite and ground system anomalies, resiliency studies, acquisition planning, and technical support to mission operations.
- Provide technical support for the transition of operations support responsibility from MILSATCOM development program offices to the MILSATCOM sustainment organization.
- Interact with various operations teams and user commands on a regular basis to ensure mission performance and adequate involvement in issues resolution.
- Provide expertise to emerging programs, manage the transition of programs to operations and sustainment, the support to the Combat Forces Command and Mission Delta 8 and the integration of International Partner operations.
- Ensure that the organization’s capabilities are sufficient and effectively applied to meet program needs, provide opportunities for technical growth and development of the team members, and recruit new staff members.
- Be an effective interface between the directorate, customers, and Aerospace management.
- Identify and prioritize tasks, assign appropriate staff, and ensure the quality and timeliness of results and customer satisfaction.
- Mentor staff, coordinate ETG support, maintain cognizance of the directorate’s activities, manage the budget, perform employee evaluations and participate in the directorate’s administrative activities.
- Provide written and oral reports, briefings, and recommendations to senior Aerospace management and customers on operational issues and operations concepts.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Systems Director – Engineering Program Management and Operations Systems Engineering:

- Bachelor's degree in a STEM field or equivalent area
- 12 or more years of experience in relevant space system development, sustainment or operations
- Demonstrated leadership skills
- Ability to work effectively with and coordinate multi-discipline projects with Air Force customers, contractors, SE&I contractors, and Aerospace team members
- Demonstrated high degree of ingenuity, resourcefulness, and creative thinking needed to ensure mission success throughout the lengthy life cycles of space systems
- Demonstrated experience in system requirements definition, acquisition strategies development, and operations concept development

- Ability to travel as required (approx. 10-20%)
- Active Top Secret / SCI clearance with ability to obtain Special Access Programs (SAP) and maintain clearance, issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

How You Can Stand Out

It would be nice if you had one or more of these:

- Advanced technical degree in a STEM field or equivalent area
- Experience with satellite command and control systems, mission planning systems, and end user terminal systems
- MILSATCOM experience
- Program office and management experience
- Demonstrates enterprise-level perspective with prior Program Office(s) and ETG experience
- Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships with government program team leaders
- Demonstrated management experience and skills including budgeting, staff development, and strategic planning
- Prior management role in direct support of a government customer in program office
- Strong oral and written communication skills

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)
$178,300.00 - $267,500.00

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies