Interoperability Standards Project Leader

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.

Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers’ portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

The Acquisition Management Department in the Space Architecture and Integration Division supports the United States Space Force with integration of end-to-end missions through the development of standards, MOSA strategies, enterprise technical baselines, spectrum management, space debris management, budget prioritization, and enterprise risk management. Our work directly shapes how the USSF fields capabilities faster, more efficiently, and with reduced strategic risk. We are looking for an Interoperability Standards Project Leader (Project Leader - Systems Engineering) who will lead foundational development of enterprise MOSA strategies and drive consensus-based standards development across government and industry partners. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence USSF policy at the enterprise level while bringing together multi-disciplinary teams of high-caliber subject matter experts working on cutting-edge space technologies.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at either of our facilities in El Segundo, CA, Pasadena, CA, Chantilly, VA, and Colorado Springs, CO.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead SSC-sponsored standards development activities by managing Standards Development Organization (SDO) committee operations, including budget planning and tracking, committee coordination, and member recruitment and retention
• Provide strategic guidance to the USSF on development of enterprise Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) strategies and align standards development efforts to address capability gaps and emerging opportunities
• Drive consensus and deliver results by managing multi-disciplinary committees of government and industry subject matter experts, keeping teams focused on timely delivery of standards recommendations
• Serve as primary liaison between the Alliance Executive Board, SSC leadership, and technical working groups, providing status reporting and ensuring alignment with mission objectives
• Develop and maintain standards development governance processes including SDO Bylaws and training materials to ensure streamlined process conformance across all committees
• Provide editorial oversight for all technical documents prior to review and approval by the Alliance Stakeholder Advisory Council, ensuring quality and consistency

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Project Leader – Systems Engineering:

• Bachelor's degree in science, engineering, mathematics, or related technical discipline
• 8+ years of experience in project management, team leadership, and technical program coordination
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple concurrent activities
• Strong written and oral communication skills with experience presenting to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Experience with budget planning, tracking, and resource allocation
• Proven ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders and navigate complex organizational environments
• Willing to travel occasionally (less than 10%, primarily domestic)
• This position requires 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.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Master's or PhD degree in Systems Engineering or related discipline
• Experience with standards development processes, including participation in or support to Standards Development Organizations
• Familiarity with military standards for specifications and standards format and content (e.g., MIL-STD-962, -963, -967)
• Experience with requirements development, interface control documentation, or technical baseline management
• Prior experience supporting U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command, or other national security space customers
• Current Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance
• Experience with Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) implementation or space systems architecture

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 - Max)

$120,800.00 - $181,100.00Pay Basis: Annual

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.