Associate Director, Prototype Project Management

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.
Job Summary
The Aerospace Corporation's Experiment Lab, xLab, develops prototypes, instruments, pathfinders, and demonstration systems to address our customers' hardest problems at the speed of need. We engage with our customers to conceptualize innovative solutions and deliver impactful products for ground and space and everything in between. We are looking for engineers with a passion for design, a commitment to teamwork and a desire to help xLab make a difference to today's challenges.
The Associate Department Director will provide line management to the Project Managers in the group to help them address project-specific challenges as well as ensuring implementation xLab PM processes and best practices. You will manage a team of 7-10 project managers in the performance of their roles as well as work with other xLab Managers and Directors on continuous improvement activities focused on streamlining and standardizing the prototype development processes.
This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA, offering a hybrid work model that combines regular onsite work and remote flexibility as the business needs allow.
What You'll Be Doing

• Manage the xLab PMs in performance of their roles, which includes but is not limited to:

- Timely delivery of specific hardware and software project deliverables in accordance with project requirements
- Development and maintenance of accurate plans for assigned project cost and schedule
- Managing roadblocks, workarounds and unexpected events on projects to maintain optimal technical, cost and schedule performance
- Providing appropriate cost and schedule data to leadership, business management and budgets/finance staff to ensure project deliverable requirements are met
- Leading milestone reviews as well as create and present periodic status review packages to Customer and Aerospace management

• Work with xLab, OCTO and Enterprise partners to develop standard processes, templates, procedures and tools for efficient and effective project management
• Develop and maintain metrics and integrated schedules for both the PM Team and the xLab portfolio
• Provide team leadership and individual management for team success, including guidance, direction and career counseling. Conduct staff performance reviews and recommend performance improvement, career development, salary and promotion actions. Establish staffing needs and recommend training, transfers, and other staff deployments; assists other supervisors in evaluation and assignment of staff. Monitor and direct organization's security processes, compliance, and safety awareness.
• Establish organizational objectives and goals and communicate them to team. Conduct organization's activities consistent with corporate policies/practices, goals, and objectives.
• Assign and coordinate work activities within organization; monitor workload, work progress and schedules
• Seek and identify opportunities for additional, expanded and new business and assist in the evaluation and pursuit of new opportunities.

What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field or equivalent
• Typically, 12 years of applicable professional or educational experience is required in a project, systems engineering or team leadership position for technical teams responsible for deliverable items
• Proficient in the use of project schedule management tools (MS Project or Primavera)
• Knowledge and understanding of different contract types and their programmatic implications and requirements, for both Government and Commercial customers
• 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.

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

• Demonstrated success in leading diverse, inter-disciplinary teams in the delivery of spaceflight prototype hardware system (or subsystem) deliverables within schedule and budget targets
• Knowledge of Aerospace/FFRDC business and operations processes and proven experience working with those teams for success project management (supply chain, finance, contracts, export control, etc)
• Experience working with a variety of Customers (DoD, Civil, Commercial) and successfully managing projects within the different contractual and programmatic constraints of those entities
• Substantial experience in a management or team leadership role with proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of contractors, customers, and corporate staff

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 - Mid - Max)
$122,952 - $202,011 - $281,070
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.