RPO Futures Section Manager

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 Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a wide-ranging and dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities. 

The RPO Analysis and Integration Department (RAID) is EED's premier organization for mission-level Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO), bringing together the expertise necessary to analyze, design, and develop systems across the full lifecycle of RPO missions. We deliver impactful modeling, simulation, and analysis to a variety of military and civil customers, enabling the key missions that will service and protect critical space infrastructure. We are looking for a Section Manager to lead our RPO Futures Section.  As the lead of the RPO Futures Section, the selected candidate will help formulate the delivery of critical multidisciplinary RPO analyses, tools, and capabilities, incorporating disruptive and evolving technologies such as artificial intelligence and computer vision into achievable mission architectures. This candidate will become a leading corporate voice in shaping Aerospace's strategic vision for how emerging technologies are matured and integrated into RPO mission solutions, for a wide range of defense, intelligence, and civil and commercial customers. 

Work Model:

This position will be a hybrid work model based in Chantilly, VA, Colorado Springs, CO or El Segundo, CA, with the expectation that the selected candidate works at least 4 days per week onsite, as the business needs allow.  

What You’ll Be Doing  

• Leadership & Team Management: Lead a geographically distributed team of analysts exploring and maturing emerging technologies, aligning research efforts with evolving mission needs through workload management, performance assessment, mentoring, and staff development 

• Customer Engagement & Business Development: Develop relationships with Aerospace program offices and government customers to anticipate future mission needs ahead of demand, translating novel technology insights into customer-relevant RPO solutions and long-term engagement opportunities 

• Strategic Coordination & Execution: Partner with department management to synthesize and execute RAID's strategic vision, coordinating cross-functional efforts and cross-organizational partnerships to deliver unified “One Aerospace” technical depth to the customer 

• Capability Development: Conduct research and review emerging technologies to evolve organizational capabilities and stay ahead of customer needs, working at the intersection of technical disciplines to explore novel concepts and mission architectures  

• Organizational Enablement: Drive staff retention, recruiting, hiring, and onboarding while pursuing organizational enablers including classified IT resources and clearance portfolios to ensure long-term organizational health  

• Technical Contribution: Contribute hands-on technical expertise across RAID's portfolio translating customer mission requirements into technical solutions 

What You Need to be Successful  

Minimum Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in applicable STEM areas  

• Typically 8 years of applicable professional or educational experience  

• Demonstrated ability to initiate and lead team efforts, manage projects, and develop staff  

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the proven ability to influence a technical organization 

• Proven ability to foster an environment where teammates collaborate across organizational lines for the strategic benefit of all parties, including internal and external equities 

• Willing to travel domestically approx. 10%  

• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI 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: 

• Advanced degree in applicable STEM areas  

• Strong connections with NSG programs and customer base 

• Experience applying or overseeing the application of AI/ML, computer vision, autonomy, or probabilistic frameworks to flight mechanics, RPO, or mission-level analysis problems 

• Experience leading or guiding software architecture decisions and tool development efforts 

• Comfort operating in ambiguous, research-driven environments where technology directions and focus areas are still taking shape 

• Current TS/SCI, SAP, and/or RSV clearances  

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)

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  

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.

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.