Associate Director, Trajectory Design and Optimization Department

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 Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly-trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; orbital mechanics; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments.
The Trajectory Design and Optimization Department (TDOD) is seeking an Associate Director to help lead the department, which currently consists of four sub-teams and a cadre of senior staff. The department focuses on trajectory design and optimization for spacecraft, launch vehicles, and reentry vehicles, across the full mission lifecycle from conceptual design to operations. The Associate Director will report to the department Director to help manage the organization's work portfolio, with a focus on maintaining and expanding a wide and diverse set of customers for the department's skillsets.
This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA, with a hybrid model for on-site/remote (80%/20%) presence available.
What You'll Be Doing

• Providing project leadership for technical deliverables to a wide range of National Security Space and Civil/Commercial customers to ensure department quality standards are met
• Building customer connections to propose relevant tasks for future department efforts to maintain and grow the department's customer base
• Anticipating customer future needs to direct capability and tool advancements to ensure the department maintains technical relevancy, utilizing customer and IRAD funding paths to achieve these goals
• Providing mentorship and staff development support for technical, leadership, networking, and communication skills
• Providing oversight over department recruiting, workload management, performance management, compensation, engagement and retention strategies of key staff members, and department logistics (IT needs, office space, clearances)

• Lead Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives across department to ensure enhanced recruitment, engagement, development, and retention of diverse talent within the department and across the enterprise.

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
• Experience in initiating and leading project teams, developing project plans, identifying high-impact deliverables, and managing schedule commitments
• Exceptional time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and to organize and lead cross-functional, cross-organizational teams to execute studies and assessments
• Willingness to occasionally travel and to work off-business hours to support customer needs, approximately 10% (as required)
• 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:

• Advanced degree in a STEM field or equivalent is strongly preferred
• 15+years of applicable professional or educational experience is highly desirable
• Previous management experience including staff recruitment and development, performance management, conflict resolution, organizational planning, resource management, and cultivating customer relationships
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/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 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)
$140,000 - $165,000 - $225,000
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.