Job Summary 

The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly-trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; orbital mechanics; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments.  

The Vehicle Systems Software Department develops high-fidelity launch vehicle and spacecraft closed-loop hardware and software testbeds, and real-time embedded software for satellites and other emerging technologies. This technical expertise is also relied upon for independent analysis and testing of embedded control software for a wide range of launch vehicles, spacecraft, and other systems.

As the Director of Vehicle Systems Software (Director - Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineering), you will provide leadership to a talented staff of researchers and engineers and lead the department's lab capabilities, while facilitating and encouraging a culture of innovation. 

Work Model 

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA or 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  

• Leads, manages, and staffs the department in support of the department's expanding embedded projects 

• Identifies strategic growth areas to expand and enhance the department's lab capabilities 

• Leads multidisciplinary projects across multiple departments 

• Staffs the department with personnel with the appropriate expertise and skills mix in the following focus areas: avionics and/or emulated avionics hardware-in-the-loop simulation; software-in-the-loop simulation; simulated vehicle environments and dynamics; mission readiness certification; flight code validation; mission operations and day of launch activities; certification of code patches and image uploads; post flight analysis; flight software performance and risk assessment 

• Solicits funding for the care and maintenance of tools to support all of the above 

• Plans and executes strategies that lead to new or sustained business and customers 

• Directs efforts within the department toward expeditious resolution of critical problems 

• Encourages the technical growth of personnel, and develops and mentors future managers 

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Director of Vehicle Systems Software (Director - Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineering): 

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Computer Science or a related field is required

• Minimum of (12) years of progressively responsible engineering and leadership experience that encompasses both launch vehicle and satellites systems is required

• Proven ability working with various Aerospace and U.S. government space program offices 

• Experience and ability to keep up with the state-of-the-art in flight and embedded systems software practices and hardware advancements 

• Management experience covering staff supervision, task definition and execution, planning and goal development, the ability to direct administrative as well as technical personnel, and success interacting with diverse groups and individuals 

• Strong skills and leadership abilities with multidisciplinary teams to include, but not be limited to, strategic thinking, operational execution, command presence, organizational positioning, personal and interpersonal communication, and history of resolving issues/problems

• Experience writing technical reports and giving technical presentations

• 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: 

• Advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Computer Engineering or other relevant field is preferred

• Background in tracking or monitoring critical support technologies related to flight and embedded systems software and high-performance computing 

• Strong knowledge in development of Software-in-the-Loop and Hardware-in-the-Loop simulations 

• Experience in launch vehicles and satellites flight software testing and development 

• A current and active SCI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government is strongly preferred. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.