ANNOUNCE Aerospace Corporation Job Opening (SD6065)

[Richard J Adams Richard.J.Adams aero.org]

Posted by  Richard J Adams <Richard.J.Adams at aero.org>
Hi All
The following information describes a career opportunity at The Aerospace 
Corporation.  

Richard

What is an FFRDC?
Federally funded research and development centers, or FFRDCs, are unique 
independent nonprofit entities sponsored and funded by the U.S. government 
to meet specific long-term technical needs that cannot be met by any other 
single organization. 
The Aerospace Corporation's FFRDC 
The Aerospace Corporation's FFRDC is sponsored by the United States Air 
Force, and provides objective technical analyses and assessments for space 
programs that serve the national interest.  As the FFRDC for 
national-security space, Aerospace supports long-term planning and the 
immediate needs of our nation's military and reconnaissance space 
programs. 
The Aerospace FFRDC provides scientific and engineering support for 
launch, space, and related ground systems.  It also provides the 
specialized facilities and continuity of effort required for programs that 
often take decades to complete. This end-to-end involvement reduces 
development risks and costs, and allows for a high probability of mission 
success.
The Department of Defense has identified five core competencies for the 
Aerospace FFRDC: launch certification, system-of-systems engineering, 
systems development and acquisition, process implementation, and 
technology application.  The primary customers are the Space and Missile 
Systems Center of Air Force Space Command and the National Reconnaissance 
Office, although work is performed for civil agencies as well as 
international organizations and governments in the national interest.
System Dynamics Position in Los Angeles, CA
Duties:  Member of the Software Acquisition and Process Department (SAPD), 
chartered as a Center of Excellence in software-intensive system and 
system of systems acquisition and engineering processes for National 
Security Space (NSS).  Provide primary system dynamics modeling expertise 
in support of an on-going Corporate Strategic Initiative and Corporate 
Research Initiative, including a) applying system dynamics modeling 
expertise to the conceptualization of the problem, including group 
facilitation of the problem formulation, b) analyzing the problem to 
identify candidate factors that might cause the observed behavior, c) 
translating the candidate variables into stock-flow maps that can be 
simulated, d) analyzing, critiquing, interpreting and iteratively refining 
the model as needed and e) communicating the model, model behavior and 
interpretation to government and Aerospace stakeholders who have no 
background in system dynamics.  Participate in developing a method for 
integrating system dynamics modeling into software-intensive space system 
acquisition management to improve mission assurance.  Participate in the 
planning and development of an internal, self-sustaining Aerospace system 
dynamics modeling capability.  Actively participate in software-intensive 
system acquisition-related research, including the proposal of new 
research initiatives.  Prepare technical reports, develop, and deliver 
training courses and other presentations to disseminate knowledge and 
understanding of system dynamics methods, benefits and results.
Qualifications:  US Citizen with advanced degree in management, software 
or engineering discipline.  Equivalent on-the-job experience may 
substitute for advanced degree.  Required is a) extensive and recent 
system dynamics modeling experience, preferably with emphasis on project 
management modeling, b) the ability to perform rigorous qualitative and 
quantitative research, c) exceptional oral and written communication 
skills, including the ability to effectively present modeling concepts, 
models and results in briefings, training materials and technical reports, 
d) exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively 
interact with Aerospace program office personnel, Government personnel, 
contractors and engineering staff, and e) the ability to work well in a 
team setting.  Preferred is experience in a) large software-intensive 
system development, b) group model building, c) intervention and change 
management techniques and d) knowledge in related domains such as 
distributed cognition and boundary objects.
Interested Parties 
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and current resume that 
highlights relevant system dynamics expertise.
The Aerospace Corporation's Contact Information 
Contact Person:  Leslie Holloway
Phone: 310 336 1725
Email: Leslie.Holloway at aero.org  (Include the subject ?SD Search? in the 
subject line.)
Address:
The Aerospace Corporation
c/o Leslie Holloway ? M1/106
PO Box 92957
Los Angeles, CA  90009-2957
The Aerospace Corporation?s URL:  http://www.aero.org
Posted by  Richard J Adams <Richard.J.Adams at aero.org>
posting date  Wed, 29 Nov 2006 15:05:53 -0800