DIRECTOR - Space Object Risk Department

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.

Lead the Team Ensuring Safe Operations in an Increasingly Contested Space Environment

The space domain has never been more crowded or complex. Tens of thousands of tracked objects orbit Earth. Mega-constellations are launching at unprecedented rates. Debris events threaten critical assets. Every decision about operating safely in space depends on rigorous risk assessment and mitigation analysis.

The Aerospace Corporation is a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) providing technical expertise to the nation's space programs. We deliver innovative solutions across satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil, and commercial customers.

The Opportunity

The Mission Operations Subdivision seeks a Director for our Space Object Risk Department (SORD) . Lead a world-class team of orbital analysts, debris modeling experts, and space domain awareness specialists who assess and mitigate hazards across the entire space environment.

Partner directly with Do W , Intelligence Community, NASA, FAA, FCC, and commercial space operators to develop data-driven insights, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies that enable safe, sustainable operations in an increasingly congested and contested domain.

As Director, you'll shape the strategic vision for national space safety capabilities, drive technical innovation in risk assessment methodologies, and mentor the next generation of experts while bridging defense, intelligence, civil, commercial, and international communities.

Work Model

Full-time position , minimum four days per week onsite based in Chantilly, VA; Colorado Springs, CO; or El Segundo, CA .

What You'll Be Doing

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute strategic vision for a multi-location department managing 30+ technical staff and managers

• Position department as the technical authority in space object risk assessment and partner with customers to deliver innovative solutions

• Formulate business strategies alongside Engineering and Technology Group partners in critical domains such as collision and electromagnetic risk assessment, debris forensics, space traffic management enterprise modeling, and cataloging process improvement

• Advise Aerospace leadership on technical investments and organizational strategies for space safety and sustainability

Technical Innovation

• Drive excellence across launch and on-orbit risk assessment, debris event analysis and forensics, long-term debris environment evolution, and disposal/reentry analysis

• Infuse AI/ML into catalog creation and prediction, risk assessment, and debris modeling techniques to transform space domain awareness and collision prediction mitigation

• Advance space environment data aggregation through corporate data repositories

• Collaborate across organizations to integrate space object risk assessment with flight dynamics, mission operations, and multi-disciplinary systems analysis

Business Development & Customer Engagement

• Cultivate relationships across defense agencies, intelligence organizations, civil space agencies, regulatory bodies, and commercial operators

• Drive business development and capture planning for organizational growth in core department areas

• Represent the department at customer engagements, regulatory forums, corporate events, and technical conferences

Team Development

• Lead workforce development including recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and retention strategies

• Manage department resources including staffing, facilities, and classified IT infrastructure

• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence

What You Need to be Successful (Minimum Requirements)

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, physics, mathematics, statistics, or related STEM field

• 10+ years of progressively responsible technical experience in orbital mechanics, space traffic management , collision risk assessment, debris modeling, or space domain awareness

• Proven leadership experience managing technical organizations, including staff development, performance evaluation, strategic planning, and R&D portfolio development

• D emonstrated success building partnerships across organizations

• Business development acumen with proven track record of expanding customer relationships

• Exceptional communication skills to influence senior government officials, regulatory bodies, industry partners, and internal stakeholders

• Experience managing distributed teams across multiple geographic locations

• Strategic thinking to synthesize complex technical, programmatic, and customer needs into actionable vision

• Collaborative leadership fostering excellence across organizational boundaries

• Willingness to travel domestically based on organizational and customer needs

• Current TS/SCI and/or TS/SAP access

How You Can Stand Out

Academic Excellence

• Advanced degree ( Master's or Ph.D.) in aerospace engineering, astronautics, applied mathematics, statistics, or related field

Technical Depth

• Deep expertise in collision probability assessment, debris breakup modeling, long-term debris environment evolution, space object catalog analysis

• Knowledge of AI/ML applications for risk prediction, automated conjunction screening, and space traffic coordination

• Experience with space environment databases, orbit determination, covariance modeling, or sensor performance analysis

Mission Experience

• Operational experience supporting conjunction assessment, debris event response, launch collision avoidance, or space traffic coordination decision-making

• Experience with space policy development, regulatory compliance assessment, or international space sustainability initiatives

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)
$168,200.00 - $252,400.00

Pay 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 .