Software Systems Acquisition Engineer

at  The Aerospace Corporation

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.
At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.
Information Systems and Cyber Division (ISCD) staff couple the latest in information system technologies, such as elastic compute clouds, containerization, microservices, real-time operating systems, and visualization frameworks, with expertise in cyber security, software architecture, software engineering, data science, Artificial Intelligence, process improvement, and software development to deliver responsive, resilient, high-performance software intensive systems to our Intelligence Community, DoD, and civilian customers.
Do cool work that matters in an industry that’s booming! We are looking for a Software Systems Acquisition Engineer (Software Architecture Engineering and Systems Software Engineering) to join our growing Software Systems and Acquisition Department. Our customers in the Space Force, Air Force, NASA, NOAA, other federal agencies, and commercial industry need your help to acquire cutting-edge software capabilities to chase the future!

Work Model

• This is a full-time position based in Chantilly, VA, offering a flexible work model that combines 4 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business needs allow.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing expertise in software architecting/engineering approaches and assisting customers in applying these techniques toward mission success
• Applying skills in various areas including, but not limited to, model-driven development, software systems architecture and design, agile software development techniques, enterprise systems, digital engineering and/or other related areas.
• Supporting acquisition of software-reliant systems to include development of acquisition strategies, creation of concepts of operation, creation of request for proposal packages, and participation on source selection teams
• Providing software systems engineering expertise to support effective management of large, software-reliant programs from pre-acquisition planning through source selection, development, deployment, and beyond
• Utilizing written and oral communication skills to present to customers/audience
• Participating in engineering studies, readiness reviews, technology planning and insertion; performance assessments, and/or market research
• Researching challenge problems, testing hypotheses, prototyping new approaches, and/or proving concepts
• Presenting your rigorously researched technical findings to senior government officials and others

What You Need to be Successful -

Minimum Requirements for the Engineering Specialist – Software Acquisition - Software Architecture Engineering and Systems Software Engineering

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical discipline
• 6-8 years of significant, hands-on experience in the development of complex, software-reliant systems, including Agile/DevSecOps software development or Agile project management
• Broad knowledge of the entire software development lifecycle with demonstrated expertise in at least two areas (e.g., requirements, architecture/design, testing, etc.)
• Ability to perform technical assessments of requirements, software architectures and designs, and/or code
• Ability to assess risk of design trade-offs, development approaches, schedules, and/or plans
• Ability to work both independently and in a collaborative environment
• Ability to manage multiple simultaneous tasks and adapt to rapidly changing priorities
• Willingness to travel overnight domestically approx. 10-20%
• This 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:

• Active or recent SSBI and ability to obtain and maintain SCI access
• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or closely related technical discipline
• Current certification in one or more relevant technologies (e.g., Scrum Master, Product Owner, Scaled Agile Framework, cloud architect, etc.) with corresponding experience
• Experience developing or validating software cost estimates
• Familiarity with space acquisition policies, space systems, and/or advanced space technologies

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 diverse 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/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. 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
ieo.mailbox@aero.org
. You can also review
Know Your Rights
: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
, as well as the
Pay Transparency Policy Statement

What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing expertise in software architecting/engineering approaches and assisting customers in applying these techniques toward mission success
• Applying skills in various areas including, but not limited to, model-driven development, software systems architecture and design, agile software development techniques, enterprise systems, digital engineering and/or other related areas.
• Supporting acquisition of software-reliant systems to include development of acquisition strategies, creation of concepts of operation, creation of request for proposal packages, and participation on source selection teams
• Providing software systems engineering expertise to support effective management of large, software-reliant programs from pre-acquisition planning through source selection, development, deployment, and beyond
• Utilizing written and oral communication skills to present to customers/audience
• Participating in engineering studies, readiness reviews, technology planning and insertion; performance assessments, and/or market research
• Researching challenge problems, testing hypotheses, prototyping new approaches, and/or proving concepts
• Presenting your rigorously researched technical findings to senior government officials and other

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 Result