The Aerospace Corporation

Principal Director, Enterprise Applications

The Aerospace Corporation$180K — $271K *
Enterprise Technology
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Systems, Business, Finance, or related field.
  • 15+ years of experience in ERP architecture and implementation; 5+ years in leadership roles.
  • Expertise in SAP Financial solutions (S/4 HANA, ECC) and end-to-end implementation management.
  • Strong knowledge of SAP modules and supporting systems such as Ariba, Concur, and Dassian.
  • Demonstrated success in digital transformation initiatives, including cloud migration and process automation.

Responsibilities

  • Define and execute an enterprise-wide IT applications strategy focused on ERP and analytics.
  • Oversee architecture and lifecycle management of ERP and HRIS applications.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to implement technology solutions that optimize workflows.
  • Integrate advanced features like AI and robotic process automation into reporting workflows.
  • Ensure application reliability and compliance with security standards.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
  • Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
  • 401(k) plan with a significant company-paid benefit.
  • Flexible spending accounts.
  • Professional growth and development programs.
Full Job Description
Job Summary ThePrincipal Director, Enterprise Applicationsis a strategic leadership role responsible for driving the enterprise-wide strategy for IT applications, with a strong focus on ERP systems and digital transformation. This role ensures the alignment of technology and operational strategies to enhance business processes, streamline workflows, and optimize the use of data, AI and technology. Acting as a key partner to executive leadership and IT teams, the Principal Director leads the design, development, and management of secure, scalable, and innovative enterprise applications that support financial operations and strategic objectives. This position plays a pivotal role in advancing modernization, enabling cross-functional delivery, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of mission-critical systems. This role will report to the Deputy CIO/General Manager of Enterprise Information Systems (EIS) Division under the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO). The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA. What You91ll Be Doing Strategic Vision & Leadership
  • Define and lead the execution of an enterprise-wide IT applications strategy, with a strong emphasis on ERP, data governance, and analytics
  • Develop multi-year roadmaps for application modernization and digital transformation, ensuring alignment with business objectives
  • Partner with executive leadership to influence digital strategies and drive enterprise innovation
Application Portfolio Management
  • Oversee the architecture, lifecycle management, and performance of ERP, HRIS, and other internally developed applications
  • Identify opportunities to leverage emerging technologies (e.g., AI, RPA) to optimize workflows and improve scalability
  • Establish governance frameworks to prioritize initiatives based on ROI and business impact
Solution Design & Delivery
  • Collaborate with key stakeholders to design and implement business processes supported by technology solutions that optimize efficiencies within an integrated ERP environment
  • Design, govern, and maintain a high-level enterprise reporting framework that delivers consistent, accurate data across an entire organization
  • Integrate advanced features like robotic process automation and machine learning into existing reporting workflows
  • Lead cross-functional teams in delivering secure, scalable, and high-quality applications through DevSecOps practices and CI/CD methodologies
  • Ensure seamless system integration and interoperability across platforms
Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with Enterprise Architecture, the Chief Data Office, and other teams to embed data governance, analytics, and security into solutions
  • Drive user adoption through stakeholder engagement, training, and change management initiatives
Operational Excellence
  • Ensure application reliability, scalability, and performance, meeting or exceeding SLAs
  • Establish proactive monitoring, incident management, and problem-resolution processes
  • Oversee lifecycle management, including upgrades, patching, and technical debt remediation
Leadership & Team Development
  • Manage and mentor a team of IT professionals, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement
  • Develop career paths and skill development programs to grow team competencies
  • Manage resource allocation, staffing plans, and vendor partnerships to meet organizational objectives
Governance & Compliance
  • Ensure compliance with security standards, including NIST, CMMC, and corporate policies, across both classified and unclassified environments
  • Participate in governance forums to align application strategies with enterprise architecture and risk management frameworks
Change Management & Innovation
  • Lead transformation initiatives, driving process improvements and automation to enhance efficiency
  • Champion innovation by evaluating and adopting emerging technologies to drive competitive advantage
  • Drive results through strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and iterative optimization
What You Need to be Successful Minimum Requirements:
  • Bachelor92s degree in computer science, Information Systems, Business, Finance, or related field is required
  • A minimum of (15) years of experience in ERP architecture and implementation, with 5+ years in leadership roles is required
  • Proven expertise in SAP Financial solutions (S/4 HANA, ECC), including end-to-end implementation management experience
  • Strong knowledge of SAP modules (Finance, Source-to-Pay Order-to-Cash, Hire to Retire) and supporting systems (e.g., Ariba, Concur, Dassian)
  • Strong project management skills, with success delivering large-scale system implementations
  • Experience with system integration, data governance, and automation
  • Demonstrated ability to define and execute ERP roadmaps aligned with business goals
  • Experience leading digital transformation initiatives, including cloud migration and process automation
  • Exceptional communication skills to translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders
  • Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and engage in executive leadership
  • This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, 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:
  • Experience in regulated environments (e.g., aerospace, federal) is strongly preferred
  • Knowledge of ITIL frameworks and ERP best practices is a value-add
  • Familiarity with SDLC, Agile methodologies, and DevSecOps practices is preferred
We offer a competitive compensation package where you91ll 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) $180,800.00 - $271,200.00 Pay Basis: Annual 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 6 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

About The Aerospace Corporation

The Aerospace Corporation is a nonprofit corporation that operates a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) headquartered in El Segundo, California. The corporation provides technical guidance and advice on all aspects of space missions to military, civil, and commercial customers. Aerospace also designs and develops spacecraft, sensors, and other systems in support of national security, civil, and commercial customers. The corporation has more than 4,000 employees and operates a number of laboratories and test facilities across the United States.
Learn more about The Aerospace Corporation
Size
4,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1960

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