DIRECTOR - Space Object Risk Department

About this role

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,

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