Sr. Software Architect & Engineer

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.

As the Senior Software Architect & Engineer, you will support Air Force Futures (HAF A5/7) digital architecture efforts. This position focuses on application prototyping & development for an enterprise orchestration solution integrating mission engineering with capability development data across a variety of areas (manpower, budget, acquisition, operations, etc.) to create fully burdened capability development plans and force designs. This role will also guide the broader Air Force Future digital architecture & integration strategy as it creates a distributed cloud-based wargaming, analysis, and capability portfolio management ecosystem.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Crystal City, VA or El Segundo, CA.

What You'll Be Doing

• Interfacing directly with senior government leaders (civilian and military) to understand user requirements and mission needs
• Working with product owners to translate user needs into technical requirements, architecture decisions, and work items
• Advising and leading software development teams in overcoming complex data, collaboration, and design challenges
• Designing and validating architecture for a multi-classification cloud application (NIPR, SIPR, JWICS)
• Applying DevSecOps best practices during application development and deployment
• Collaborating with government teams and contractor partners in a matrixed development environment
• Setting attainable goals for sprints, milestone planning, and product roadmap development
• Providing technical leadership on cross-domain data integration and multi-network deployment strategies
• Overseeing software development quality assurance and application maintenance
• Contributing to and maintaining project documentation (architecture decisions, development practices, quality guidelines)
• Managing release processes, change management, and migration strategies across classification domains
• Shaping digital integration and interface strategy for Headquarters Air Force tools and processes
• Growing departmental knowledge through technical leadership, training, and mentorship

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Sr. Project Engineer Software Architecture Engineering and Cloud Computing Engineer:

• Bachelor's degree in STEM, with an emphasis in Computer Science or other sciences/engineering discipline is required
• 10 or more years of relevant experience leading software development teams and designing enterprise applications is required
• Strong problem-solving, communication, organizational, and leadership skills
• Demonstrated experience advising senior leaders and translating user needs into technical solutions
• Strong background in application architecture design and technical leadership
• Experience with managing software development teams across the full stack, including UI development, data schema management, API development, UX best practices, etc.
• Experience with complex data integration across disparate systems and data sources
• Familiarity with enterprise data architecture and data modeling concepts
• Familiarity with commercial cloud technologies (e.g., Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform)
• Familiarity with containerization systems (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)
• Familiarity with cloud security concepts (e.g., network security, identity and access management)
• Familiarity with DevSecOps processes and tools (e.g., SonarQube, Fortify, etc.)
• Proficient in Python, HTML, and CSS
• Experience with agile development methodologies and sprint planning
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively in a cross-functional matrixed organization with government and contractor partners
• Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site approx. 10% (as required)
• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret 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 the following:

• Advanced degree in Computer Science or other sciences/ engineering discipline is preferred
• Hands-on experience designing, implementing, and operating cloud-based applications supporting real users
• Experience with cross-domain solutions for moving data across networks (particularly upwards in classification levels)
• Experience with data operations and data lifecycle management
• Familiarity with modern frontend frameworks
• Working knowledge of every layer in a cloud technology stack (e.g., virtualization infrastructure, operating systems, application hosting platforms, cloud native application design)
• Military operations experience and/or familiarity with DoD acquisitions processes
• Certifications related to cloud computing (e.g., AWS Solutions Architect, Certified Kubernetes Administrator)
• Certifications related to cybersecurity (e.g., Security+, CISSP)
• A current and active Secret/ Top Secret security 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)
$166,400.00 - $249,600.00

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 .