SDA Data & C2 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, developmental planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction to help shape future space missions across the national security space enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including United States Space Force, United States Space Command, Air Force Material Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of services and support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers but also horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation.

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, analytics, and networks to support the war in space. This Project Leader or Sr. Project Leader role is a technical position actively engaged in Aerospace’s support to this Space Systems Command program office.

Work Model

This is a mainly on-site position located in Colorado Springs with the government customer and requires at least four regular onsite workdays and teleworking flexibility as the business needs allow.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing Aerospace support to the Global Mission Data Dominance Branch
• 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 Sr. Project Leader. A Project Leader, with less experience, is expected to contribute to many of the activities but with more guidance from management.
• Acts 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 
• Providing insight to Aerospace leadership and the customer on risks, issues, opportunities and associated mitigation strategies and corrective actions 
• Responsible for ensuring successful execution of systems integration efforts between space, ground, and the integration of segments across of the GMDD portfolio
• Shaping requirements definition 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 
• Lead 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 senior 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 – Project Leader, Data Engineering

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in Computer Science or an Engineering related discipline
• Six or more years of technical and leadership experience
• 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 several times a year
• Active Top Secret / SCI clearance, with ability to obtain and maintain Special Access (SAP) clearance, issued by the US Government. U.S. Citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

In addition to the above, the Sr. Project Leader – Data Engineering requires the following:

• Minimum of twelve years of technical and leadership experience
• Proven experience with senior level customers and senior leadership
• Involved with complex software systems 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, RedLAN, or similar data system
• Several 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
• Current Special Access (SAP) 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)

$120,800 – $181,100

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 [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.