Director, Space Sciences 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 Aerospace Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL) is a diverse scientific organization that provides a broad and innovative research and development backplane for a growing space enterprise. PSL's impact is grown through a diverse research portfolio that blends foundational scientific research with cutting-edge technology development to serve a broad customer base. PSL's exclusive ability to work with all stakeholders: (government, industry, and academia) enables us to provide novel solutions to the most challenging issues in current and future technology applications. The strength of PSL comes from the combination of cutting-edge tools and facilities, a vast repository of space-system knowledge, and the extensive technical expertise of our people. We harness these tools and expertise in over 150 different laboratories to tackle the new challenges for the space enterprise.
The Space Sciences Department (SSD) research plays a critical role in space science R&D in collaboration with academia, industry, and government customers. The Director, Space Sciences Department will serve as the visionary leader and people manager to facilitate a growing staff and new R&D horizons. This leader will build and shape integrated, multidisciplinary teams to support a growing variety of customer and collaborators while developing the new capabilities necessary to meet future demand and technology needs.
SSD performs innovative research and development in the following areas:

• Applied research in the magnetosphere, ionosphere, and thermosphere with an emphasis on impacts on space systems
• Application of space science expertise addressing complex challenges of the commercial, civil, and National Security Space enterprise
• Development of tools and applications to support space situational awareness, anomaly resolution, and satellite design
• Innovative prototyping for the development of new space environment sensors including miniaturization and simplification to support proliferation
• Collaboration and engagement with the broader research community to facilitate the uptake of space science basic research and support for the overall operations-to-research-to-operations paradigm
• Cross-cutting developments to ensure space environment information reaches its full value across the broader space enterprise

Work Model
This full-time position will be nominally located 100% onsite in El Segundo, CA with consideration in Chantilly, VA.
What You'll Be Doing

• Provide people and organizational leadership including recruiting strategies, mentoring and developing staff, career and performance management, compensation, driving engagement and retention of department as well as leading diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives
• Hire, train, and mentor a growing staff for technical, programmatic, and customer leadership through active management and collaboration with other internal and external groups
• Manage departmental resources and operational budgets associated with laboratory budgets, capital investments, and staff resources
• Develop integrated strategies that unify space science R&D needs across the space enterprise and position Aerospace as a continued leader in current and new focus areas
• Cultivate relationships with collaborators and customers to facilitate understanding of existing and emerging challenges in their programs and develop R&D objectives around these challenges
• Manage a diverse portfolio of cutting-edge research matched to national security space programs and missions
• Work with customers and staff to develop product and delivery goals and commitments
• Work in collaboration with operational organizations such as Project Management/Contract Office, Facilities, and Supply Chain

What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field and/or space science/physics or equivalent related technical discipline is required
• (12) or more years of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific research experience is required
• Experience in one or more of the following research topic areas: spaces science, space weather, ionosphere, thermosphere, magnetosphere, and/or associated spaceflight hardware development
• Ability to technically engage with customers and collaborators on space science as well as broader space enterprise issues
• Ability to lead and work outside your personal expertise to cultivate and execute collaborative cross-organizational strategies
• Strong leadership, people management, collaboration, interpersonal and communication skills
• Willingness to occasionally travel to support customer needs, approximately 15% (as required)
• This position requires the 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 and/or space science/physics or equivalent related technical discipline is preferred
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of contractors, customers, and corporate staff
• Substantial experience in a leadership role developing and implementing people and organizational strategies for a department or larger team
• Professional leadership across the space science community including academia, non-profit laboratories (FFRDC or similar), and industry groups
• Specific experience with cutting edge space science research and/or new R&D opportunities
• Current and active 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.

Leadership Competencies
Operates Strategically

• Demonstrates ability to develop a vision and execute strategies
• Anticipates and generates solutions a head of need
• Pivots with agility when circumstances change

Engages with Impact

• Effectively communications with purpose, clarity, and authenticity
• Builds trust, inspires others, and develops top talent for growth and leadership succession
• Collaborates to generate optimal enterprise solutions

Leads Change

• Motivates people to thrive in the face of uncertainty
• Effectively navigates with multiple stakeholders whose interest are not always aligned

Fosters Innovation

• Creates an environment where it is safe to challenge the status quo, experiment, and take risks
• Champions diversity and inclusion

Delivers Results

• Makes decisions with an enterprise mindset that considers operational and financial factors

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)
$123,000 - $176,950 - $230,900
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 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.