Digital Innovation Division DataOps Lead

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 Digital Innovation Division (DID) is accountable for generating and executing integrated strategies, providing governance, and managing internal investments that form the foundation of Aerospace's digital transformation.

The Digital Innovation Division is seeking an experienced Data Engineering / Data Architecture / DataOps Lead to design, implement, and manage enterprise-scale data platforms and pipelines. In this role, you will lead a team to deliver the full lifecycle of data engineering and integration-from ingestion and storage, to modeling, governance, and advanced analytics enablement. You will be responsible for establishing a modern DataOps-focused ecosystem that enables teams to reliably build, test, and deploy data solutions that power mission-critical applications.

You will lead efforts to define data architecture and data management standards and processes, drive interoperability across platforms, and ensure data quality, security, and compliance at scale. You will work with multiple engineering teams across the enterprise to host, improve, deliver, and integrate their datasets. You will help ensure Aerospace's digital initiatives are supported by trusted, high-quality data that can be rapidly transformed into actionable insights.

Work Model: 100% onsite; Chantilly, Colorado Springs, El Segundo.

What You'll Be Doing

Corporate Data Management Platform Development and Operations

• Establish and maintain a corporate data management platform on multiple networks including classified and hybrid environments. This includes identifying requirements, setting priorities, shepherding acquisition of COTS and professional services, locating technical support, addressing issues, facilitating communications, collaborating with management on budgets, and acting as a spokesperson for corporate data management across Aerospace.
• Lead the efforts to integrate enterprise data standards, data security, pipelines, data quality, and best practices for automated data ingestion, transformation, validation, and delivery with end user workflows, applications, and data. Develop and track KPIs and metrics.
• Serve as a principal technical lead coordinating data management activities with cross-functional teams to design and implement scalable, secure, and interoperable data architectures aligned with organizational goals with a focus on AI and modeling & simulation integration.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead a team of 10 data engineers, data architects, and platform specialists; provide mentorship and career development.
• Leverage Agile methodologies to manage priorities, sprint planning, and cross-team collaboration.
• Promote DataOps best practices and work with data stewards across the organization through demonstrations, workshops, and training.
• Support DOD, IC, and Civil Federal govt customer dataops strategy, design, implementation activities leveraging Aerospace implementation, best practices, and lessons learned. Collaborate with other FFRDCs as needed.

Innovation & Continuous Learning

• Research emerging tools, architectures, industry trends and standards. Champion potential opportunities to ensure Aerospace remains at the forefront of data engineering.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, knowledge sharing, and innovation in data architecture and operations.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Computer Engineering, SW Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).
• 10+ years of experience in data engineering, data architecture, or data operations
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical efforts , influence cross functional teams or mentor junior engineers.
• Proficiency with data engineering and orchestration tools (e.g., Apache Airflow, dbt, NiFi, Talend, Kafka, Spark, Kubernetes).
• Hands on experience with cloud-based data platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), most importantly the Azure suite of data management tools (Azure Data Factory, Synapse, Purview, etc.)
• Familiarity with data governance frameworks, compliance standards, and security requirements integrated into data pipelines (e.g., NIST SP 800-171, FedRAMP, CMMC).
• Demonstrated success with metadata management, master data management (MDM), and data quality frameworks to ensure trusted enterprise data assets.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with a strategic mindset and the ability to design and evolve enterprise-scale data ecosystems.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to bridge technical and mission-focused stakeholders across multiple constituencies.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with a proven track record of fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing across diverse teams.
• Demonstrated ability for innovation, creativeness, resourcefulness, and initiative.
• Position requires ability to obtain and maintain a 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 STEM or other technical discipline.
• 12+ years of increasingly responsible professional experience in data engineering, data architecture, or data operations, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role.
• Certifications in cloud (AWS, Azure), DevOps, or security (CISSP, CISA).
• Direct mission experience in the national space domain, missile defense, and/or remote sensing.
• Widely recognized across national space industry, US Air Force, US Space Force, FFRDCs.
• Ability to convey the value of Data Engineering work in mission relevant terms and stories.
• Current DoD TS and SSBI/SCI 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)
$155,900.00 - $233,900.00

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 .