Systems Director – Space Development Agency Support

The Aerospace Corporation

Systems Director overseeing SDA mission areas and program enablers. Providing strategic leadership and direction for technical staff and operations in national defense context.

Posted 6/10/2026full-timeChantilly • California, Colorado, Florida, New Mexico, Utah, Virginia • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $168,200 - $252,400 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cyber SecurityTypeScript

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide strategic leadership and direction of technical office staff and operations in support of SDA mission areas, specifically for program enablers such as integration; battle management, command and control; cyber security; and threat assessments.
Establish objectives and goals, set performance standards, and assess the sufficiency and quality of the team’s services to SDA.
Lead in accordance with the Aerospace Leadership Competency Model (LCM): Operates Strategically, Engages with Impact, Leads Change, Fosters Innovation, Deliver Results.
Act as a senior technical mentor to team members.
Engage daily with SDA senior leaders, FFRDCs, UARCs, and SETA personnel across all program Cells, mission areas, and Tranches in the acquisition and development of the PWSA.
Communicate frequently with the SDA customer to coordinate and report work progress, issues, and results and ensure rapid and efficient resolution to needs.
Manage systems engineering support for SDA programs.
Oversee technical aspects including systems options, performance tradeoffs, requirements flow down, interface analysis, test procedures, and monitoring of contractor performance.
Direct technical groups performing engineering design, analysis or other research and development activities within project schedule and cost guidelines.
Additionally, serve in a technical leadership role within an SDA cell.
Manage organizational resources, operations, and personnel including budget planning, resource allocation, and determining team structure and staffing needs.
Coordinate work activities and monitor progress to ensure completion within cost and schedule guidelines.
Conduct staff performance reviews and recommend career development actions.
Support the transition of SDA mission areas to the new Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) structure, specifically Missile Warning / Missile Tracking and Space-Based Sensing and Tracking portfolios.
Build bridges to other efforts across Aerospace in these domain areas and facilitate integration across the evolving organizational structure.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited program in engineering, math, computer science, physics, or other related discipline
12 or more years of progressively responsible and related engineering/scientific experience, including experience in a managerial / leadership role
Extensive knowledge of Space Development Agency’s rapid acquisition practices and architecture
Experience working with the Space Development Agency’s leadership team
Technical expertise in at least one area of support to the Space Development Agency (such as tracking, launch, warfighter integration, ground systems, integration, battle management command and control, cyber security, or threat assessments)
Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of contractors, government customers, and other Aerospace staff across the program office and ETG corporate landscape
Demonstrated agility and ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced customer environment with a high degree of uncertainty
Demonstrated ability to build and lead cross-functional high-performance teams to meet customer needs
Demonstrated ability to influence outcomes utilizing objective facts and technical analysis
Excellent written and oral communication skills, organizing complex materials and concepts in a manner that is clear and logical
Understanding of the Aerospace role and the guidelines for appropriate use of an FFRDC
Candidate must be willing to travel domestically approximately 10-20% of the time
Current and active TS/SCI clearance, which is issued by the US government. US 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

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

systems engineeringintegrationbattle managementcommand and controlcyber securitythreat assessmentsengineering designperformance tradeoffsrequirements flow downtest procedures

Soft Skills

strategic leadershipteam managementcommunicationrelationship buildingagilitycross-functional team leadershipinfluencing outcomesperformance assessmentproblem resolutionorganizational resource management

Certifications

Bachelor of Science degreeTS/SCI clearance