Principal Scientist, Research Integration Lead

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.
At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration - to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.
We remain committed to maintaining a safe environment for hiring as we look forward to the future of work. Click here for information on Aerospace's COVID-19 directives and safety procedures implemented to keep our workplace safe.
Job Summary
The Aerospace Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL) provide the robust and innovative physical research backplane to meet the research and development needs of a growing space enterprise. PSL's scientific impact is sustained and grown via a diverse research portfolio that blends foundational scientific expertise with cutting-edge research to serve a broad customer base. PSL's exclusive ability to work with all stakeholders: (government, industry, and academia) enables us to provide novel solutions to the most challenging issues in current and future technologies. The strength of PSL comes from the combination of cutting-edge tools and facilities, a vast repository of space-system knowledge, and the extensive technical expertise of our people. We harness these tools and expertise in 156 different laboratories to tackle the new challenges within the space enterprise.
We are seeking a motivated, experienced, and high-energy leader to develop and integrate teams associated with space resiliency research and development. As the Principal Scientist, you will work with multiple customers and across engineering and science divisions to integrate research activities, assemble/lead teams, and develop success roadmaps for necessary R&D for game changing technology. This position supports multiple national security space customers for top priority programs essential to both the Intelligence Community and Defense Department. S/he will lead and manage common technical needs through team leadership and program office outreach, and he/she will be responsible for developing unique Aerospace concept-to-prototype vision and execution. An innovative, versatile and self-motivated individual will make a big impact in the emerging field of space survivability and the supporting technology development.
This is a full-time position located 100% onsite in El Segundo, CA with remote flexibility as the business needs allow.
Highlights of our lab's capabilities can be seen here: Aerospace Virtual Tours
What You'll Be Doing

• You will work with Aerospace program offices (IC, DoD, other) to develop customer insight and potential synergies with R&D focus areas for Physical Sciences Laboratories
• S/he will develop and execute PSL-wide strategies for engagement across special customer research associated with space resiliency
• Working with other scientist and engineers, form roadmaps for "use cases" of R&D research across the portfolio and find customers for successful technology adoption
• Influence science staff toward new, key technology and research needs for special access programs
• You will identify and grow new Aerospace prototype capabilities as both PI and/or team leader to support new program needs
• Establish, lead and mentor high-performing ETG teams across multiple divisions and potentially geographic locations
• S/he will manage portfolio of resources and tasks associated with special access program interests and reach-back activities, monitoring and ensuring progress across multiple research areas
• Collaborate as key leader across all three PSL sub-divisions. Collaborations should extend across ETG as necessary, in particular, to xLab with prototyping activities and project management activities
• Serve as thought-leader and project integrator for program concept initiation, formulation, marketing, and execution planning. While eventual project management of deliverable prototypes will be provided by xLab staff, this PS role will be responsible for necessary leadership to take ideas from concept to executable programs
• Provide regular communications with management and customer regarding program status and technology risk areas

What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field or equivalent is required
• Typically, 15 years of applicable professional or educational experience in prototype development and technical leadership associated with space hardware and resiliency R&D is required
• You should have strong people management skills which includes: training, motivating and directing employees to optimize workplace productivity and promote professional growth as well as budget and resource planning experience
• Ability to work outside personal expertise areas to cultivate new ideas across PSL
• Knowledge of both IC and DoD customers, with specific focus on space domain awareness, space resiliency, and technologies to "outpace the threat"
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Willingness to occasionally travel (domestically) and to work off-business hours to support customer needs, approximately once/month (as required)
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a current and active TS/SCI and SAP-level security clearance with counter-intelligence polygraph, 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:

• Ph.D in a STEM field or equivalent is highly desirable
• Typically, 20+ years of applicable professional or educational experience is desirable
• Experience with integrated ground and/or space system engineering with in-depth knowledge of one or more technical engineering areas.
• Significant experience and demonstrated success working with a matrixed engineering organization in technical areas outside personal expertise
• Program Office experience working directly with contractors and government customers

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 diverse 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/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. 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 [email protected]. You can also review The Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law and the supplement, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.