Technology Portfolio 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.

At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.

Enterprise Lab (eLab) is an organization in the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), managing key investment portfolios and shaping internal research efforts through situational awareness and strategy integration. eLab has three primary functions: (1) guide technical investment strategies and priorities; (2) manage and evolve the Aerospace Technical Investments Program (ATIP), Technical and Strategic Investment Priorities (TSIP), Ventures, and University Partnership portfolios; and (3) increase situational awareness and outreach to understand customer needs, the external environment, and internal Aerospace capabilities. The ATIP portfolio focuses on core areas of research and development in support of our customers in the near-term (1 – 5 years). The TSIP portfolio reflects our corporation’s top priorities to meet current and emerging customer needs and to advance our capabilities.

The Technical Portfolio Manager (TPM) in eLab will serve as the technical manager of one or more eLab internal investment portfolios. These portfolios are designed to promote ideation or low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) project development to address critical corporate or space enterprise problems. The TPM will work alongside other eLab staff, project leaders, scientists, engineers, and managers throughout the company to provide an avenue for innovative solutions to our customers’ hardest problems. The TPM will have primary responsibility for portfolio oversight and direction, high-level understanding of the projects in execution within the portfolios, communicating the merits of the projects to management, and leveraging corporate and customer needs to shape future investments. We are seeking a creative, agile Technical Portfolio Manager and people leader, who will be key in helping to shape and manage these portfolios and activities with the eLab team.

Work Model: This is a full-time remote position with occasional travel to Aerospace locations at El Segundo, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; Albuquerque, NM; Crystal City, VA; or Chantilly, VA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide operational management to multi-million dollar internal investments portfolios, ensuring organizational strategies are well formulated, selected projects are aligned with strategy, and deliverables meet expectations

• Work in partnership with technical managers and program office advisors to ensure Ventures and University Partnership portfolio investments address customer needs

• Work with the eLab management team to define portfolio strategy, lines of effort, and performance measurement metrics

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports of portfolio performance for eLab, OCTO, and corporate management

• Coordinate marketing and messaging of portfolio highlights for internal and external audiences

• Mentor staff to adopt and implement situational awareness and collaboration techniques to ensure research is properly scoped and informed relative to the internal/external landscape and customer needs

What You Need to be Successful - Senior Project Engineer

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM subject area

• Twelve or more years of applicable professional or educational experience

• Track record of working collaboratively and effectively with a diverse set of stakeholders within timelines and of mentoring staff

• Experience with project, program, or portfolio management and in managing project schedules

• Proven business and financial acumen, and experience in managing dynamic budgets and project allocations

• Ability to translate detailed technical information to relatable material for a broader audience

• Willingness to occasionally travel and to work off-business hours to support customer needs, approximately 10% (as required)

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI 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:

• Advanced degree in a STEM field or equivalent

• Direct experience conducting and managing R&D portfolios

• Experience with Aerospace core functions, FFRDC operations, and company business processes

• Direct experience in creating R&D agreements with U.S. Government, academic, and/or commercial organizations

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

We are all unique, from diverse 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/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. 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 ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.