Senior Ground Systems Program 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.Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within NASA, NOAA, and the NNSA, while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors.We are looking for a Senior Ground Systems Program Manager (Senior Project Leader- Engineering Program Management). In this role, you will be an integral part of the Mission Operations and Engineering Department within the Space-Based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) Directorate. The department provides Satellite Ground Services and Space Mission Systems Engineering to NOAA/NESDIS Office of Satellite Production Operations (OSPO) and other NESDIS line offices. This support includes interfacing with Aerospace and customer program management, formulation and execution of major system acquisition strategies, leading and/or perform enterprise level trade studies and analysis, requirements definition/analysis, integration and test program definition, and transition of ground-based capabilities to next generation systems and enterprise-level service concepts. These systems are for NOAA/NESDIS and NOAA partners (interagency and international), and NASA missions.This position is onsite in Suitland, MD, or Greenbelt, MD with the expectation that the selected candidate will work at least 4 days a week onsite, as the business needs allow.What You’ll Be Doing Lead, plan, and oversee broad-based programmatic and engineering activities across multidisciplinary teamsAdvise senior government decision makers regarding acquisition strategyActs as primary customer contact for program activities, leading discussions with customer management staff and technical teams on cost, schedule and technical performance to support ground and space-based services development.Provide technical leadership between customers' and cross-functional Aerospace technical management staffCoordinates and contributes to contract negotiations and changes, proposals, acquisition plans, proposal work statements and specifications, independent cost estimates and cost/benefit analysis.Defines and coordinate program roadmaps and integrate master schedules, identifies and resolves program problems related to resource allocation or contractual changes.Lead analyses & architecture/systems trade studies for future NOAA ground and space operations conceptsRecommend cost effective solutions for future Enterprise architectures and acquisition approachesPlan and coordinate the Design, Integration & Test of space and ground-based solutions and the associated transition to operationsCoordinate NOAA system migration activities and ensure partner mission integration at reasonable cost and to mitigate the risk of system obsolescenceAdvise on strategic technology directions to improve the system capabilities, product quality and reduce operational costs.Acts as senior mentor to team members, providing technical and programmatic guidanceWhat You Need to Be Successful- Senior Project Leader- Engineering Program ManagementMinimum Requirements:Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited program in technical disciplineTen or more years of progressively responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including space and/or ground systems and a background in systems engineering, technical and project leadership in an engineering organization or program officeExperience with NOAA, and/or NASA and/or commercial space systems and operationsExpert-level knowledge of NOAA procurement processes and management support of moderate to large systems acquisitionsExperience with federal acquisition policies and practicesDemonstrated experience in large IT implementation Strategies, legacy system migration/decommissioning and ground system development, integration, operations, maintenance, sustainmentWorking knowledge of space to ground systems communications technologies and associated commercial solutionsAbility to provide systems-based engineering and technical leadership in the areas of space and ground systems applicable to legacy and enterprise level systemsDemonstrated skills regarding hardware and software system interactions and related technologies; real-time systems; performance analysis; systems integration issues; development methodologies (spiral, prototyping, agile, object-oriented, modeling, etc.); technology recommendations; and evaluating the impact of candidate technical approaches on all parts of a systemCommunications, presentation, and negotiation skillsDemonstrated ability to communicate verbally and with visual media to a broad range of customers, technologists, program managers, system engineers, and senior government leadershipHighly advanced interpersonal skills, including a demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of customers is required.Excellent technical written and oral communication skills are essential.This position may require the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. 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