Principal Director - Space Science Applications Laboratory (SSAL)

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.
PSL is seeking a motivated and high-energy Principal Director to lead the Space Science Applications Laboratory (SSAL) research and development organization. SSAL is comprised of over 50 research scientists and engineers with an ~$20M annual operating budget, focused on pioneering and integrating multi-disciplinary science and technology hardware and software innovations for a broad and growing customer base. SSAL is a thought-leader and prototyping organization, creating new and integrated space and ground-based demonstrations that provide data products in the areas of space weather and space radiation, satellite and ground-based remote sensing, hyperspectral imaging, and exploitation of other space and atmospheric phenomenologies. This innovative organization is part of the Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL), The Aerospace Corporation's non-profit R&D organization that creates innovative R&D products for a customer base that includes National Security Space, NASA/civil, and commercial customers. This creative and visionary leader will develop and shape laboratory and research strategies, enable growth of new business, manage laboratory resources and team to reflect the research strategy, and lead this premier organization in continuing technology transition of impactful solutions for the benefit of the broader space community.
This is a full-time, on-site position based in El Segundo, CA.
What You'll Be Doing

• Leading a large team of scientists and engineers across a diverse portfolio in collaboration with internal and external collaborators in the following areas: Remote Sensing, Imaging Spectroscopy, Space Sciences (e.g. Magnetospheric & Heliospheric, Ionospheric & Atmospheric Sciences)
• Developing and implementing the research strategies that support corporate and PSL-level strategies
• Managing significant laboratory R&D budget including multi-year financial planning, multi-million annual capital budget, >$6M annual IR&D budget, staff salaries, large facility and construction projects, and overhead resources
• Proactively building teams and growing customer business across a wide variety of customers and technical needs
• Facilitating organizational collaboration and engaging across industry, government, and academia to determine state of the art, customer needs, and opportunities for new R&D efforts
• Connecting and integrating science and engineering efforts through multi-disciplinary and integrated product teams
• Overseeing performance/development/compensation and rewards processes for organization and implements innovative people programs and pathways for staff health (e.g. development, retention), career growth, and diversity
• Managing laboratory operations including facilities, safety, and financial planning in tight collaboration with corporate operation organizations

What You Need to Be Successful
Minimum Requirements:

• 15 years of relevant science, engineering, or technical experience is required
• Technical engineering or science degree with direct experience in basic and applied research
• Deep science and technology experience in basic and applied research with space or terrestrial application
• Ability to plan and manage large operating budgets and laboratory operations
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead teams in a changing environment, react quickly to changing requirements and schedules, and provide strategic direction given multiple customer needs
• Strong leadership skills to include: people management experience, communication and collaboration skills, and a passion for Science and Technology research
• Cross-functional collaboration and leadership skills, with the ability to make critical decisions and influence others
• Team leadership to mature technologies for the larger space enterprise using prototype applications
• Ability to lead and work outside your personal expertise to cultivate new ideas across Aerospace and execute highly collaborative strategies that include multiple organizations
• Active SCI clearance or ability to obtain Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI), 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:

• Ph.D. or equivalent in physics, chemistry, or engineering/technology field, with specific emphasis on relevant SSAL research areas is strongly preferred
• Ability to understand and leverage organizational culture and institute both strategy and change
• Experience in development of new research intersections between traditional R&D and new disciplines such as data science, AI/ML, and digital engineering
• Demonstrated success transitioning early research to integrated engineering teams for eventual industry technology transition
• Deep understanding of current and emerging customer portfolios
• Direct leadership experience in customer facing program office, commercial business unit, and/or product development organization
• History of successfully managing IR&D and laboratory capital budgets
• Experience in external proposal development and successful track record of new business capture with industry and/or academic partners
• Facilitation of technology transition of R&D products, services, and capabilities
• Existing external collaborations in applied space research
• 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

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)
$150,000 - $185,000 - $250,000
Pay Basis: Annual
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.