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.

Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, development planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape the future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including US Space Force, U.S Space Command, Air Force Materiel Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers but also horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. DSG also assists the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems.

As an Engineering Program Manager, drive the execution of “go fast” projects, comprising the gov’t OPIR TAP Lab’s AIML Pivot strategy. The strategy has been laid out, early efforts are active, others are pending, and many more still forming. Those separate efforts need priority, deconfliction, organization structure and most importantly, tangible progress. They need someone to drive execution and progress individually and across the strategy. While this role has no budgetary responsibility, its core is ensuring “healthy” performance of R&D. It exists wholly in technical intersection of OPIR mission data processing and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. It requires value judgements based on OPIR domain knowledge, crossed with an understanding of what is possible and credible with AIML.

Work Model

This is a full-time position based in Boulder, CO, with an expectation of 4-5 days in the office. Some local travel to Aurora, CO and Colorado Springs is also expected. Occasional telework options are available depending on program needs.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Supporting research and development of new AIML tools, applications, and processing for overhead persistent infrared processing
• Advance new ground and processing technologies, focused in the area of AI/ML
• Advise the government in the execution of their R&D strategies and roadmaps
• Drive vendors, FFRDCs and other stakeholders in the execution of Gov’t R&D strategy
• Successful leading & fielding proofs-of-concepts, proto-types and pre-contract demonstrations
• Providing advice and guidance to the customer on the developing AIML roadmap and insight on associated cost/schedule estimates
• Align our ETG projects and studies with customer AIML R&D needs & roadmaps
• Coordinate OPIR Data Exploitation R&D, performed using AIML techniques, across a variety of multiple vendors
• Address and plan the growth of multi-provider AIML R&D efforts across fiscal years, maintaining focus on three Lines of Effort, with a Crawl/Walk/Run prioritization
• Act as a spokesperson between the vendors and local Gov’t representatives & Lab staff
• Direct Involvement in technical planning and vendor’s execution of, and to, those plans

What You Need to be Successful - Senior Project Leader - Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in data science, computer science or other relevant engineering with a concentration in statistics and machine learning.
• Minimum of 12 years of related professional engineering/scientific experience with at least 8 years of AIML/Software technical leadership, technical program management or program engineering
• Experience with Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Missile Warning, Missile Tracking mission areas
• Significant understanding of Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and its application to mission data processing / data exploitation
• Successful experience leading team execution in a “go fast” R&D environment
• Experience successfully leading & fielding proofs-of-concepts, proto-types and pre-contract demonstrations
• Experience identifying and ending R&D “dirt paths”, rather than continuing projects past their value
• This position requires a current Secret security clearance, which is issued by the US Government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
• Ability to obtain a TS/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the US government. US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Capability to travel (mainly local in Colorado)

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Track record of cross-agency collaboration
• Experience leading AIML/software teams through the research and development cycle
• Advanced degree in a STEM area
• Significant understanding of Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Missile Warning, Missile Tracking mission areas
• A current Top Secret/SCI security clearance
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, exciting environment with rapidly evolving, competing priorities
• Demonstrated capability to work in a highly dynamic program office environment with a mix of Government, FFRDC, SETA, and vendor personnel

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  

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 ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.