Sr. Software System Architect Lead

About this role

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.

The Aerospace Space Domain Superiority Directorate, in the Special Programs Division, supports a broad array of Combat Power missions covering the entire threat response chain from the Space Domain Awareness function through the multidomain effects needed for space superiority. These programs include major system acquisitions for multiple ground and space segments, future architecture definition at the data/software/hardware levels, and research and technology for continuous evolution of space warfighting capabilities.

We are looking for a Sr. Software System Architect Lead to contribute to a team that is developing and delivering a critical space control capability to guarantee space superiority for our nation. This work is focused on supporting all aspects of implementing programs within the tightly integrated program office consisting of military, Aerospace, and SETA personnel. You will work on site in the government program office, where you will have frequent interaction with the government and support contractors. This opportunity will also collaborate with National Security Space mission partners that are building and integrating capabilities. This position allows for the opportunity to see your contributions to a critical mission become realized in the near future.

The Sr. Software System Architect Lead in the space domain will be responsible for overseeing the design, integration, and delivery of complex software systems from multiple vendors. The focus will be on validating a robust, modular architecture that allows seamless collaboration between teams and ensures our space technologies are scalable, secure, and high-performing. Working in close collaboration with cross-functional teams (software engineers, hardware engineers, system integrators, and vendors), this role will shape the future of our product line.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, California.

What You’ll Be Doing • Oversee the delivery of highly scalable, fault-tolerant, and secure systems • Define and enforce software standards, ensuring that solutions meet performance, security, and scalability requirements • Collaborate with product managers, engineers, and external vendors to develop technical roadmaps and timelines • Lead technical reviews and design discussions with multiple vendors to ensure system integration aligns with overall project objectives • Establish and implement middleware and modular design frameworks (e.g., AUTOSAR, DDS, ROS) to support a modular software ecosystem • Develop and maintain documentation for all systems and components • Ensure compliance with industry standards and certifications relevant to the space domain (e.g., ECSS, CCSDS) • Provide mentorship and guidance to development teams and vendors to ensure software best practices are followed • Collaborate on system testing, validation, and verification with teams to ensure a smooth performance of systems • Act as a point of escalation for complex technical challenges, working closely with vendors to troubleshoot and resolve issues

What You Need to be Successful Minimum Requirements for Sr. Project Leader – Systems Software Engineering and Cloud Computing Architecture: • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related STEM field • 12+ years of experience in software, system design, and systems integration • Proven experience working with vendors to deliver large-scale, multi-component systems • Strong knowledge of cloud-native architectures and containerization technologies (e.g., Kubernetes, Docker) • Experience with distributed systems, microservices, and event-driven architectures • Hands-on experience with DevOps practices, including CI/CD, automated testing, and infrastructure as code • Excellent communication skills, with a strong ability to collaborate across multi-disciplinary teams and vendors • Strong leadership and project management skills to drive cross-team alignment and vendor delivery • This position requires a current and active Top Secret/SCI security clearance, issued by the US government. US 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: • Experience in the space or aerospace industry • Expertise in modular software design and middleware frameworks (e.g., AUTOSAR, D

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