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Principal Director - SBSD Missile Warning and Tracking (MWT) Ground, Exploitation & Operations

The Aerospace Corporation
paid holidays, sick time, 401(k), relocation assistance
United States, California, Los Angeles
Aug 22, 2025

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.

Job Summary

The Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, developmental planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape future space missions across the national security space enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including Air Force Space Command, U.S. Strategic Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers but also horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation.

The Aerospace Corporation Defense Systems Acquisition (DSA) organization serves as the technical and programmatic advisor to the United States Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) for acquiring, developing, and fielding capabilities for the United States Space Command and joint warfighter as well as to maintain America's comprehensive military advantage in space. The Space Based Sensing Division (SBSD) within DSA helps our customers develop space and ground systems for missile warning and tracking, environmental monitoring, and tactical surveillance and reconnaissance.

As the Principal Director for the SBSD Missile Warning and Tracking (MWT) Ground, Exploitation & Operations sub-division, you will lead Aerospace's support to development of next generation ground software and hardware for Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) missile warning, including mission data processing, command and control, data exploitation, and missile warning operations.

You will work closely with senior USSF customers, Aerospace staff and management, and subject matter experts to identify and address mission needs and follow through on opportunities to maintain cost, schedule, and performance.

Work Model:

This is a full-time position based at the Los Angeles AFB in El Segundo, CA, which requires 100% onsite work to support critical issues on behalf of the staff and customer needs.

What You'll Be Doing

  • Lead support to OPIR Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) software and hardware development and transition to operations, including mission processing and command and control

  • Lead support to instantiation of a FORGE cloud development environment.

  • Lead support OPIR data exploitation using Artificial Intelligence and data science techniques at the SSC Tools, Applications and Processing Lab in Boulder CO and at Buckley SFB

  • Lead missile warning and tracking operations support at Buckley SFB

  • Establish organization structure and staffing, recommend budgets, allocate resources, and establish priorities. Maintain and strengthen close teaming relationships across organizations

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Principal Director (Software Architecture Engineering and Cloud Computing Architecture):

  • Bachelor's degreein a STEM field or equivalent is required

  • (12) or more years of proven, related experience in engineering and/or software development, with (3) or more years experience as a manager is required

  • Strong background in leading teams in ground systems and software development

  • Clear and effective communicator with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable insights for diverse audiences

  • Organizational leadership experience leading a broad team of technical professionals

  • Willingness to travel to customer or contractor facilities based in Colorado, approximately (1- 2 weeks per month) is required

  • This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/ SCI 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:

  • Proficiency in missile warning mission ground systems and operations is strongly desired

  • Experience in software development, delivering cloud based solutions, application of advanced data sciences and artificial intelligence, cyber security, and integration of complex systems

  • Management role in direct support of a government customer in a program office is highly favored

  • Understanding of the Aerospace role and the guidelines for appropriate use of FFRDCs is strongly preferred

  • Knowledge of Aerospace capabilities available to meet customer and corporate goals

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)

$240,000 - $280,000 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 various 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 equalopportunity 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,geneticinformation, 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 emailat peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org .You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.

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