Sr. Offensive Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (OsUAS) Project Leader

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 Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Material Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers’ portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems. Aerospace’s Joint and Multi-Domain Subdivision supports a broad sponsor landscape, extending Aerospace’s space-based technical expertise to operational end users. With projects ranging from state of the art research and concept development, to prototyping, cutting-edge laboratory environments, fully integrated operational capabilities, and robust analytics and decision support tools, Aerospace’s support to the military Services, Combatant Commands, and other government agencies helps to enable strategic decisions, explore new operational concepts, and drive toward integrated, multi-domain capabilities. As a Senior Project Leader supporting the USAF Offensive Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (OsUAS) Program Office, you will play a critical role in advancing Aerospace’s impact across emerging multi‑use UAS mission areas. In this position, you will lead a diverse, multi‑disciplinary team and leverage Aerospace’s deep technical reachback to help the government develop, mature, and integrate cutting‑edge UAS capabilities. Working directly alongside the OsUAS program office, you will provide both technical leadership and direct engineering contributions that ensure Aerospace delivers timely, high‑quality support to address a wide range of complex UAS challenges. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Dayton, OH What You'll Be Doing Lead and manage a multi‑disciplinary Aerospace team providing end‑to‑end technical support to the USAF Offensive Small UAS (OsUAS) Program Office, including oversight of program execution, alignment of technical priorities, and coordination of reachback expertise across Aerospace. Serve as the primary technical and programmatic focal point for the OsUAS government customer, establishing a trusted working relationship and delivering direct contributions to UAS development, integration, test, and fielding activities. Collaborate across government, SETA, contractor, and FFRDC partners to deliver high‑quality technical assessments, engineering analyses, and decision-support products that advance OsUAS capabilities and meet warfighter needs. Lead integration of Aerospace experts specializing in technical areas such as: autonomy, orchestration, EO/IR sensors, EW, communications, PNT, mesh networking, LIDAR, and kinetic/non‑kinetic effects to address diverse technical challenges across multi‑use UAS platforms. Coordinate support across direct program staff and technical reachback teams to enable concept development, requirements refinement, system engineering working groups, mission engineering assessments, and developmental/operational test activities. Break down complex technical tasks, set team direction, establish performance expectations, mentor staff, and foster a collaborative environment across multiple organizations and stakeholder groups. Provide direct technical contributions in one or more mission areas related to small UAS operations, including payload integration, autonomy, sensing, navigation, survivability, or counter‑UAS threat environments. What You Need to Be Successful Minimum Requirements for Senior Project Leader – Enterprise Systems Engineering:  Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline or closely related technical field. 12 or more years of progressive technical and leadership experience, including multi‑disciplinary systems engineering within a defense acquisition or program oversight environment. Demonstrated experience leading complex technical teams, including team development, mentoring, collaboration, and conflict resolution. Experience conducting technical analyses and engineering trades related to UAS system or subsystem capabilities Proven success working effectively with government program offices, senior leaders, and cross‑organizational technical teams. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with contractors, SETA organizations, government labs, and internal Aerospace groups to deliver high‑quality technical and programmatic support. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Active TS/SCI security clearance. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. Current access and/or ability to maintain SAP/SAR program access Ability to travel up to 25% of the time or as needed to meet mission needs.   How You Can Stand Out It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:  Advanced