EEMS Department Associate Director

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.
The Systems Engineering Division (SED) provides unmatched experience in systems engineering to the U.S. government and to numerous public and private agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, consortia, and commercial companies involved in the advanced application of space technology. From systems architecture development to system analysis and optimization, astrodynamics, orbital debris, navigation, failure analysis, mission assurance, cost and schedule assessment, and economic market analysis, SED exploits an incredibly broad array of engineering and business disciplines against a dynamic portfolio of programs and national challenges.
Aerospace's Engineering Economic and Management Sciences (EEMS) Department is seeking an Associate Director to join a innovative, and highly productive team of cost, schedule, and operations research professionals. This growing, geographically distributed department supports a wide range of customers across the National Security, Civil and Commercial, and International Space Communities. EEMS leverages expertise in cost, schedule, and economic engineering, along with operations research and management science techniques, to enhance cost- and schedule-related decision-making processes. The department also conducts integrated studies, technical deep dives, and comprehensive reviews that provide actionable insights and uncover risks and opportunities. These efforts enable decision-makers to balance trade-offs, optimize resource allocation, and develop robust solutions tailored to mission-critical challenges. By synthesizing lessons learned from a variety of programs, EEMS continually refines engineering management practices in cost, schedule, and risk analysis to deliver impactful and enduring results.
Work Model: This is a full-time position based in Chantilly, VA, offering a hybrid work model that combines 4 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business needs allow.
What You'll Be Doing

• Assist Department Director with the following activities, serving as a Second Chief:
• Recruit, hire, mentor, develop, and lead engineering staff to deliver timely and reliable cost and schedule predictions, studies for cutting edge space systems and enable informed acquisition decisions.
• Effectively manage and grow a geographically distributed department.
• Develop and implement the department's technical strategy, grow department capabilities, shape and respond to demand signals, and guide the department's research and development portfolio.
• Build and scale teams with unique skills and coordinate staffing and priorities to ensure excellent support to customers.
• Personally perform & lead tasks in the areas of cost/schedule engineering, acquisition engineering research (e.g. Integrated Interdisciplinary Studies, Knowledge Management & Analysis), and operations research and management sciences (e.g. Decision-Making with Scientific Tool & Techniques) tasks as appropriate.
• Assign resources, estimate staffing needs, coordinate activities, and connect with requisite stakeholders.
• Collaborate with outside organizations to provide technical support and outreach for EEMS technical capabilities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with program offices to sustain the department's activities.
• Work with other departments across Aerospace to deliver innovative solutions and scale engineering economic and management sciences capabilities.
• Work with the AEPAS Leadership Team to deliver the AEPAS strategy to build our brand, grow our capabilities, deliver excellence, and elevate our impact.
• Work across AEPAS and Aerospace to develop solutions that enable enterprise mission success, deliver technical excellence, people excellence, and operational excellence.

What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, Business, Economics, Finance, Engineering, or related science field.
• 12 years of relevant space-related cost and schedule engineering, acquisition, and management sciences.
• Demonstrated strengths in several of the following: cost estimation and analysis, schedule risk analysis, earned value management, conducting trade studies, economic analysis, business case analysis, market research, knowledge management, and tool development.
• Demonstrated experience working in cross-functional or cross-organization teams (USG, FFRDC, contractor), issue resolution, and orchestrating task balance across a team.
• Ability to provide departmental strategic and budget planning, workforce planning, recruiting, and staffing, succession planning, personnel development, and customer relationships, in a fast-paced environment.
• Consistent track record of establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal and working relationships with different levels of corporate staff, peers, management, program offices, customers, and contractors.
• Excellent communications skills, both written and oral.
• A commitment to maintaining a respectable work environment that fosters excellence and collaboration.
• Willing to travel domestically up to 10%.
• This position requires a current and active TS/SCI 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 Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, Business, Finance, Engineering, or related science field.
• Previous management experience (e.g., manager, associate director).
• Demonstrated outstanding interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills for interactions at all organizational levels.
• Experience working in a program office setting, managing matrix support, and developing statements of work.
• Experience successfully leading research projects and prior participation in source selections/evaluations.
• Demonstrated experience in obtaining resources from program offices to support department research priorities.
• Familiarity with industry cost or schedule models (SEER, ACEIT, Milestones Professional, MS Project, etc.).
• Ground/IT and/or software system cost estimating experience.
• Recognition as a subject matter expert with publications, presentations, or contributions to the broader community of practice.
• Professional certification in cost estimating, schedule analysis or program management, by a recognized professional society/educational organization (i.e., ICEAA, INCOSE, INFORMS, MORS, AACE, IPM, PMI, etc.).
• Current DoD TS and SSBI/SCI Clearance.

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