Senior Ground Systems Program Manager

The Aerospace Corporation

Senior Program Manager leading engineering and programmatic activities for Aerospace Corporation. Responsible for technical leadership in space solutions while coordinating multidisciplinary teams.

Posted 6/4/2026full-timeSuitland • Maryland • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $155,900 - $233,900 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead, plan, and oversee broad-based programmatic and engineering activities across multidisciplinary teams
Advise senior government decision makers regarding acquisition strategy
Acts as primary customer contact for program activities, leading discussions with customer management staff and technical teams on cost, schedule and technical performance to support ground and space-based services development.
Provide technical leadership between customers' and cross-functional Aerospace technical management staff
Coordinates and contributes to contract negotiations and changes, proposals, acquisition plans, proposal work statements and specifications, independent cost estimates and cost/benefit analysis.
Defines and coordinate program roadmaps and integrate master schedules, identifies and resolves program problems related to resource allocation or contractual changes.
Lead analyses & architecture/systems trade studies for future NOAA ground and space operations concepts
Recommend cost effective solutions for future Enterprise architectures and acquisition approaches
Plan and coordinate the Design, Integration & Test of space and ground-based solutions and the associated transition to operations
Coordinate NOAA system migration activities and ensure partner mission integration at reasonable cost and to mitigate the risk of system obsolescence
Advise on strategic technology directions to improve the system capabilities, product quality and reduce operational costs.
Acts as senior mentor to team members, providing technical and programmatic guidance

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited program in technical discipline
Ten or more years of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including space and/or ground systems and a background in systems engineering, technical and project leadership in an engineering organization or program office
Experience with NOAA, and/or NASA and/or commercial space systems and operations
Expert-level knowledge of NOAA procurement processes and management support of moderate to large systems acquisitions
Experience with federal acquisition policies and practices
Demonstrated experience in large IT implementation Strategies, legacy system migration/decommissioning and ground system development, integration, operations, maintenance, sustainment
Working knowledge of space to ground systems communications technologies and associated commercial solutions
Ability to provide systems-based engineering and technical leadership in the areas of space and ground systems applicable to legacy and enterprise level systems
Demonstrated skills regarding hardware and software system interactions and related technologies; real-time systems; performance analysis; systems integration issues; development methodologies (spiral, prototyping, agile, object-oriented, modeling, etc.); technology recommendations; and evaluating the impact of candidate technical approaches on all parts of a system
Communications, presentation, and negotiation skills
Demonstrated ability to communicate verbally and with visual media to a broad range of customers, technologists, program managers, system engineers, and senior government leadership
Highly advanced interpersonal skills, including a demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of customers is required.
Excellent technical written and oral communication skills are essential.
This position may require 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.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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

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Hard Skills & Tools

systems engineeringproject leadershipNOAA procurement processesfederal acquisition policiesIT implementation strategieslegacy system migrationground system developmentreal-time systemsperformance analysisagile development

Soft Skills

communication skillspresentation skillsnegotiation skillsinterpersonal skillstechnical leadershipmentoringproblem-solvingteam collaborationcustomer relationship managementstrategic advising

Certifications

Bachelor of Science degreesecurity clearance