
AI-Enabled Design Lead
Colorado Springs, COJob$156–234K/yrSeen 6 days agoSeen in employer's feed 6 days ago
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At a glance
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Credentials this posting asks for.
Job overview
The Aerospace Corporation’s Vehicle and Ground Concepts Department seeks an AI-Enabled Design Lead to advance AI-enabled design capabilities and lead conceptual design activities for space and ground systems. The role directs multidisciplinary teams, develops customer and program-office partnerships, and shapes departmental strategy. It is based in Colorado Springs under an in-person work model and requires a current, active U.S. government Top Secret/SCI clearance and U.S. citizenship.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Benefits
Full job description
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 Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace's strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities. The Vehicle and Ground Concepts Department (VGCD) in EED provides space vehicle and ground system preliminary/conceptual design; trade and architecture analysis, modeling, process development and leadership expertise ; and tool development in support of conceptual design activities across the space enterprise. As a member of VGCD, you will be designing innovative spacecraft and ground segment solutions to meet the most pressing mission needs of our US Space Force, Intelligence Community, NASA, NOAA, and commercial/international customers. Work Model: This position will follow an in-person work model at A erospace's Colorado Springs, CO location. What You'll - Advance the department's state of the art by leading development and execution of AI-enabled design capabilities, including automated workflows and agentic tools - Serveas the subdivision focal point for AI-enabled design, investigateurgent technical problems, andestablishnew partnerships across the Engineering and Technology Group(ETG)and program officesto create revolutionary design capabilitiesfor our teamthat are both responsive and technically rigorous - Driveoutreach and education of ETG, program offices, customers, and industry on Aerospace AI-enabled design capabilities - Direct complex technical activities, organize multi-disciplinaryproject teams, and execute a variety ofspace and ground conceptual designactivities. - Steer and implement strategyinvehicle and groundconceptual designfor thedepartment. Seek,identify, and pursue opportunities foradditional, expanded, and new business andassisthigher management in the evaluation and pursuit of new opportunities - Lead efforts toidentifyand incorporate emerging technologies, commercial capabilities, interoperable solutions, and industry best practices intoconceptual designsfor space, ground, and network capabilities - Expandscope ofVGCDrelationship with program offices and customers, such asSSIO, SWAC, SSDP,and the IC,and leverage department staffandexpertisefrom across ETGtosolve complex customer problems. - Initiate newprogram office relationshipsto collaborativelydefinenewtasking, create implementation plans, andidentifypersonnelto perform the work based on your knowledge of resources andexpertiseacross the company - Mentorearly career and experiencedstaff, serving as a role model andtechnicaladvisor to an exceptionally talented and highly motivated cadre of architects, analysts, and modelerstodevelopdepartment capabilities and meet emerging demand for departmentexpertise. What you Need To Minimum Requirements Senior Project Leader - Enterprise Systems Engineering - Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, science, or a related technical field - At least 10 years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience, including multi-disciplinary systems engineering and/or program management nvironments, with a strong command of systems engineering principles - Leadership experience inAIcapability development,application of AI/ML and automation tooperational mission execution, and/or AI-enabled design - Experienceinitiatingand leading cross-functional, cross-organizational teams toplan andexecute projects or studies - Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present methods and results effectively inleadershipbriefings, formal reports, and informal communications - Exceptional time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projectsand schedule commitments - Demonstrated ability toestablishand maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with employees, customers, acquisition program offices, and contractors - Exhibitexceptionallyhigh levelof innovation, creativeness, and initiative - Available and willing to travel domestically and/or internationally approx. 5-10% - A current and active Top Secret/SCI security clearance issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship isrequiredto obtain a security clearance How You Can Stand Out It would be impressive if you have - Advanced degree (Master'sor Ph.D.) from an accredited program in a relevant engineering discipline - Demonstrated initiative to innovate, shape, drive, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of tasks, projects, or organizations - Experience intraining,mentoringand inspiring staff - Experience working in partnership with multiple Aerospace program offices and customers - Strong interpersonal networks with Aerospace and customer organizations that can beleveragedto establish collaborations and obtain sponsorship for projects - Experience in methods and processes for early life cycle systems engineering, system architecting, and US government system acquisition - Experience with Intelligence Community systems engineering and programmatic processes, methods, tools, and personnel - Experience withoperationalemployment of space capabilities in domain areas such as missile warning/missile tracking, precision navigation and timing, space-based environmental monitoring,or space domain awareness 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) $155,900.00 - $233,900.00Pay 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
How this job compares
Set against the 1,398 open Engineering Leadership jobs on Olive Jobs, counted October 27, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$156–234K/yr
- Colorado median$160–220K/yr45 salary ranges
- US median$182–288K/yr1,081 salary ranges
This range's midpoint, $195K, is close to the Colorado median midpoint ($195K) — in the middle half of Engineering Leadership salary ranges in Colorado.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 55 open Engineering Leadership jobs in Colorado and 1,398 across the US. 6% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in Colorado
- RTX Corporation4 open
- Oracle3 open
- Westwood Professionals3 open
- Experience
- This posting asks for at least 10 years of experience; Engineering Leadership postings that state a minimum ask for 10 years at the median (1,145 postings).
- Education
- This posting asks for a bachelor's degree; 554 of the 1,398 open Engineering Leadership jobs (40%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on October 27, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
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