Principal Director for the Cybersecurity and Advanced Platforms Subdivision

The Aerospace Corporation
Chantilly, VA

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.

Aerospace's Cybersecurity and Advanced Platforms Subdivision is seeking a Principal Director with experience in cybersecurity, cloud, and/or embedded SW/HW systems to help lead a large team developing prototypes, supporting space programs, setting strategy, hiring, managing, and driving technology development.

Do you enjoy solving problems that affect global security? Do you have passion and experience for keeping ahead of our adversaries and taking mission capabilities to the next level? Do you like tackling multiple projects and exploring novel ideas? If so, join our talented cyber and platforms team at Aerospace.

The ideal candidate will have excellent communications skills and a strong technical background including breadth across multiple domains of cybersecurity, cloud computing and embedded systems.

What You’ll Be Doing

  • Providing technical and managerial leadership to engineers and managers in multiple locations across the United States
  • Partnering with other leaders in defining and implementing the technical development strategy for the Cybersecurity and Advanced Platforms Subdivision
  • Directing program staffing by allocating resources across multiple departments
  • Defining and implementing cross organizational and cross discipline technical research and development projects
  • Recruiting and hiring high quality technical talent in the fields of cybersecurity, cloud computing, embedded systems and software development
  • Ensuring quality of technical products and deliverables
  • Inserting new technology into programs
  • Actively performing information technology (IT) research and development
  • Providing leadership on the future direction of IT for our customers
  • Performing business development
  • Analyzing ground, cloud, embedded and space systems for cyber vulnerabilities and recommending solutions
  • Leading the development of cutting-edge prototypes in both ground and spacecraft systems
  • Developing and mentoring Managers and Directors within the organization

This position can be based in Chantilly, VA, El Segundo, CA, or Colorado Springs, CO

What You Need to be Successful

  • A bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or related field
  • Twelve or more years of experience working in the fields of cloud computing, embedded SW/HW development, cybersecurity and/or software development
  • Significant experience working in the fields of cloud computing, embedded SW/HW development, cybersecurity and/or software development
  • Experience in modern software engineering practices
  • Experience leading the development of technical prototypes or proof of concepts
  • Experience recruiting and hiring high quality talent in highly competitive fields such as cybersecurity, cloud and software development
  • Experience managing cross organizational development teams
  • Demonstrated leadership skills
  • Demonstrated technical breadth
  • Prior management experience
  • Excellent written and oral communications skills.
  • Excellent personal technical reputation and record of substantial personal technical achievement
  • Current and active TS/SCI clearance
  • Ability to travel approximately 15% of the time

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

  • Advanced technical degree
  • Experience with space systems, including familiarity with space, ground and user segments
  • Experience with cloud migration
  • Experience with systems engineering and how cybersecurity can be integrated into system engineering processes
  • Experience developing software/firmware for embedded systems
  • Experience with spacecraft command and control 

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)

$230,000 - $250,000 - $275,000

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 ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.