Principal director

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.

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.

The Information Systems and Cyber Division (ISCD) is a unique engineering division partnering across the full space enterprise to advance next-generation digital solutions and software-enabled mission capabilities. With customers spanning the DoD, Intelligence Community (IC), civil and commercial space, ISCD blends expertise in software architecture, AI/ML systems, data platforms and architecture, advanced cloud and edge infrastructure, cybersecurity, and full-stack engineering through mission-focused, collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams. These teams leverage hands-on prototyping and applied R&D to support customer concepts, digital architectures, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies into real-world mission environments.

We are seeking an innovative and energetic leader to build and lead ISCD’s newest subdivision: Applied AI and Advanced Infrastructure (a3i). This organization will serve as the corporation’s focal point for AI-enabled mission solutions and the modern digital foundations required to scale them, integrating expertise across data architecture, advanced infrastructure including cloud and edge platforms, and applied AI/ML. A3i will work across ISCD programs to develop new advanced technology concepts, accelerate the adoption of AI-ready architectures, and prototype new applications across modern infrastructure for solutions to our nations hardest technical space challenges.

This role offers unparalleled access across the space enterprise to identify high-impact mission challenges, shape next-generation digital foundations, and apply AI at scale in support of national security, civil, and commercial space missions. Working across commercial industry, government, and academia, this Principal Director will shape how emerging technologies are rapidly adopted by a growing and increasingly innovative aerospace customer base.

Work Model

This is a full-time position based in Chantilly, VA or El Segundo, CA and requires 100% onsite work.

What You’ll Be Doing

The Principal Director of a3i will create and lead this new subdivision focusing on applied AI research and development toward space systems leveraging modern cloud and hybrid infrastructure services for ground, edge and scalable data architectures. This leader will expand Aerospace’s role in national security space, integrating cloud, data, and AI expertise, and building partnerships across the company and community to evolve the latest digital technologies to our customers and internal engineering staff.

The a3i organization will serve as:

• A technical integrator, aligning data platforms, AI/ML pipelines, and cloud/edge infrastructure across programs, and
• A mission accelerator, rapidly applying these capabilities to customer challenges through prototypes, pilots, and deployable solutions.
• A continuously-evolving leader in applied research, building connections to other cutting-edge organizations to accelerate innovation.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include:

• Build the organizational vision, strategy, and technical roadmap for applied AI and advanced digital infrastructure across ISCD’s mission portfolio.
• Lead the prototyping and integration of AI/ML, data platforms, and cloud/edge infrastructure into cohesive, mission-ready architectures that can be reused and scaled across programs and customers.
• Engage directly with DoD, Intelligence Community, civil (e.g., NASA), and commercial customers to identify high-impact mission opportunities for AI-enabled solutions and modern digital foundations.
• In partnership with the larger ISCD division, develop new business operations/mechanisms and prioritized strategy to manage very high customer demand and focus on the hardest national-level challenges
• Guide the development and adoption of enterprise-grade data architectures, including data fabrics, data meshes, streaming and batch pipelines, and analytics platforms that enable AI at scale.
• Innovate toward unique customer needs for new secure, cloud-native and hybrid architectures, spanning commercial cloud, government cloud, on-prem, and edge environments.
• Grow an internal research and development portfolio spanning fast-moving and industry-leading topics in AI, with emphasis on industry transition to operations and external partnerships
• Partner closely with Aerospace’s CIO and CTO organizations to align enterprise platforms, internal tools, and infrastructure strategies with mission-facing needs.
• Build, mentor, and inspire a multidisciplinary workforce spanning AI/ML, data engineering, cloud infrastructure, platform engineering, and systems integration.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive culture that encourages innovation, technical excellence, and cross-division impact.

What You Need to Be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Principal Director, Applied AI & Advanced Infrastructure:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, information systems, or a related STEM field.
• 12 or more years of experience with demonstrated impact leading large, multidisciplinary technical organizations supporting complex government or national security missions.
• Deep understanding of modern AI/ML systems, including model development, deployment, and lifecycle management (MLOps), as well as strengths and limitations of current AI approaches.
• Strong expertise in modern data architectures, including data platforms, data fabrics/meshes, streaming systems, analytics environments, and data governance in mission contexts.
• Demonstrated experience with cloud-native and hybrid infrastructure, including commercial and government cloud service providers, container platforms, orchestration, and edge computing.
• Proven ability to shape mid- and long-range technical strategies and roadmaps that integrate AI, data, and infrastructure for complex, software-enabled missions.
• Exceptional customer-facing skills, with experience partnering with senior government stakeholders to translate mission needs into scalable digital solutions.
• Established success building and leading integrated, multidisciplinary teams with a focus on reuse, scalability, and mission impact.
• Experience managing internal R&D portfolios, including transitioning research into operational systems or sustained mission use.
• Executive-level communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to work locations or customer sites (approximately 10–20%).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance (TS/SCI level and higher). U.S. citizenship is required.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Experience standing up new organizations or technical centers of excellence focused on AI, data platforms, or cloud infrastructure.
• Direct research in modern AI systems focusing on automated reasoning, agentic AI systems/AI agents, deep reinforcement learning, or similar
• Hands-on experience delivering AI-enabled mission solutions, including applications such as autonomous systems, space domain awareness, cyber detection, predictive analytics, digital engineering, or physics-informed ML.
• Deep familiarity with secure and multi-level environments, including cross-domain architectures and AI/data deployment across classification boundaries.
• Exposure to space, defense, or intelligence mission areas such as space control, missile warning, remote sensing, or commercial space data exploitation.

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)

$208,000.00 - $312,000.00 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 — 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 various 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 employer. 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

[email protected]

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