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 Structures Department within the Structural Mechanics Subdivision, Vehicle Systems Division, is seeking a Structures Department Associate Director (Associate Director – Aeronautical and Aerospace Structural Engineering) with a demonstrated record in leadership and a strong foundation in solid mechanics, practical experience in structural analysis, a passion for the space industry, and a desire to apply their expertise to help solve a variety of technical challenges facing national security space programs.   

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA., requiring at least 4 days onsite.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Establish department objectives and goals, communicating them effectively to staff, management, and interfacing matrix organizations

• Participate with higher management in determining organizational structure, staffing needs, and resource allocation

• Participate in budget planning and allocation of resources; implement policies, practices, and operating processes

• Identify and assign functional responsibilities within sub-organizations; coordinate work activities and monitor workload, progress, and schedules to ensure completion within allocations and schedule guidelines

• Conduct staff performance reviews and recommend performance improvement, career development, salary, and promotion actions

• Promote a climate of continual learning and mentoring; serve as senior mentor for the development of early career staff by providing technical guidance and insights

• Communicate and coordinate frequently with customers to understand and identify critical needs, milestone schedules, and work progress

• Conduct work performance within customer standards and regulations; participate in day-to-day technical task planning and issue resolution as needed

• Seek and identify opportunities for additional, expanded, and new business; assist higher management in the evaluation and pursuit of new opportunities

• Develop new business connections and motivate technological innovations

• Review and approve technical work, documentation, and briefings intended for release to external customers

• Assess program risks and advise program offices and customers during certification, development, and/or operational phases of programs

• Maintain authoritative expertise in the development, analysis, and verification of space structures, with thorough knowledge of structural design criteria in combination with structural test methods

• Direct technical groups performing engineering design, analysis, and research and development activities related to structural mechanics

• Publish clarification, insight, and guidance on technical topics to assist industry in enhancing mission assurance practices or advancing the state-of-practice in structural verification and validation

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering with a focus in structural and/or solid mechanics or a closely related field

• 10 years of applicable professional and educational experience

• Demonstrated 2+ years of people management skills, including hiring, mentoring, staff development, and administering performance reviews

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers  

• Strong technical leadership skills and a proven ability to build and lead interdisciplinary teams 

• Expert knowledge in hardware structural analysis including finite element assessment including the use Nastran, Abaqus, or other commercial finite element tools  

• Willing to travel domestically and to work off-business hours to support customer needs, approximately 20% (as required) 

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a current and active Top Secret/SCI security clearance 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 engineering with a focus in structural and/or solid mechanics or a closely related field is preferred 

• Demonstrated 5+ years of people management skills, including hiring, mentoring, staff development planning, and conducting periodic performance reviews is preferred

• Broad range of experience assessing hardware across launch, missile, and space systems 

• Technical proficiency and/or knowledge in the advancement of methodologies several of the following areas: 

  • Fracture Mechanics and Fatigue Analysis including Damage Tolerance/Safe Life Analysis and Fracture Control 

  • Additive manufacturing design integration, evaluation, and assessment 

  • Welded joint mechanical properties and analysis 

  • Nondestructive inspection criteria development 

  • Bonded and/or bolted joint failure criteria and analysis methodologies 

  • Composite structure failure criteria and analysis methodology 

  • Probabilistic analysis and uncertainty quantification 

  • Structural stability margin assessment 

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