SDA Data & C2 Engineer (Project Leader/ Sr. 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.

Job Summary

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 Materiel 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.

The Enterprise Data and Digital Solutions team is focused on integrating a large portfolio of digital technologies across the USSF enterprise to provide near term solutions to our customer's pressing information system challenges. The Global Mission Data Dominance (GMDD) Branch is tasked with supporting the Space Enterprise in developing data distribution, storage, and networks to support the war in space. This Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Data & Command Control (C2) Engineer (Project Leader or Senior Project Leader- Software Architecture Engineering and Cloud Computing Architecture) role is a technical position actively engaged in Aerospace's support to this Space Systems Command program office.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time , on-site at our facility in Colorado Springs, CO.

What You'll Be Doing

• Providing Aerospace support to the Global Mission Data Dominance Branch and the Unified Data Library program. This a key position with the potential to shape both the Space Force thinking and future corporate activities in the management of Space Data.
• Working in a fast-paced environment with geographically dispersed teams across the Space Enterprise
• Activities will include leading projects, evaluating contractor designs, shepherding the integration of key data sets, prototyping new technologies, and provided strategic inputs that enables the larger space community
• The following activities encompass the broad responsibilities for a Senior Project Leader. A Project Leader, with less experience, is expected to contribute to many of the activities but with more guidance from management.
• Act as spokesperson for working groups, advising the customer including GMDD Branch leadership in formulating, evaluating, and overseeing understanding of system requirements and system engineering practices
• Operate strategically by providing insight to Aerospace leadership and the customer on risks, issues, opportunities and associated mitigation strategies and corrective actions
• Deliver results by ensuring successful execution of systems integration efforts between space, ground, and the integration of segments across of the GMDD portfolio
• Shaping the future with requirements definition for GMDD systems including development, coordination, and approval of system capability documents, system requirements documents, and interface control documents
• Assessing mission trades between segments and products for system-level design reviews to help identify optimal systems architecture designs
• Maintaining effective working relationships with customer leadership, capability-delivering contractors, Aerospace engineering teams and other program office support organizations, including the creation of technical materials and the ability to present to key stakeholders and senior leaders
• Deliver results in leading diverse teams in the execution of the systems engineering, integration, and test responsibilities, to include the coordination of subject matter experts and the integration of inputs to provide corporate and customer leadership with technical advice
• Acts as a mentor to team members, providing technical guidance to staff in both technical duties and program office responsibilities as well as development insights
• Providing oversight and management of program staffing budgets, including the identification and recruitment of subject matter experts to contribute to system acquisition and support activities

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Space Domain Awareness (SDA) Data & Command Control (C2) Engineer (Project Leader or Senior Project Leader- Software Architecture Engineering and Cloud Computing Architecture) include:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or an Engineering related discipline is required
• A minimum of (8) years of technical and leadership experience is required
• Experience working with integrated, multidisciplinary, multi-organizational teams
• Proven ability to work in fast-paced environment with changing priorities
• Excellent social skills enabling effective communication with customers, colleagues, and senior management
• Experience with multiple of the following: leading software development, cloud deployments, applying machine learning or artificial intelligence models, and information technology systems
• Willingness to travel domestically approx. five times per year (as required)
• This position requires a current and active Top Secret/SCI clearance, with ability to obtain and maintain Special Access (SAP) clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. Citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the SDA Data & C2 Engineer (Senior Project Leader- Software Architecture Engineering and Cloud Computing Architecture) include:

• A minimum of (12) years of technical and leadership experience is required
• Proven experience with senior level customers and senior leadership
• Involved with complex software systems development and integration efforts
• This role requires a broad background with an understanding of space systems and data infrastructure, as well hands on expertise in these domains

How You Can Stand Out

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

• First-hand knowledge of government data systems like the Unified Data Library, Clairvoyant, or similar data system is strongly preferred
• (3+) years of hands-on experience developing and deploying software systems. Ideally, also leading these efforts and technical teams
• Understanding of Spacecraft Architectures and Command and Control (C2) Ground Systems
• A working understanding of the systems and algorithms the US Government uses for Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and to maintain the space object catalog
• Demonstrated understanding of how to leverage machine learning, artificial intelligence, or large language models with data systems
• Experience with USSF culture and the acquisition processes
• A current and active Special Access (SAP) clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government, is strongly preferred. U.S. Citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

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)
$132,900 - $257,100

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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal .