DIFC2 Software Architectural Engineer (Senior Project 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.

Job Summary

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 Materiel 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. 

Within the DSG, the Pentagon and Multi-Domain Division provides the technical analyses needed to inform and underpin decisions made by senior leaders within the Department of Defense (DoD).  We address a broad range of space-related issues to help shape current and future DoD missions, taking on challenging space-related problems on behalf of our DoD customers in areas such as emerging technologies, operational analysis, architecture, policy and strategy, developmental planning, system of systems engineering, and threat reduction.

As the DIFC2 Software Architectural Engineer (Senior Project Engineer - Software Architecture Engineering), you will support the Department of the Air Force Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications, and Battle Management (DAF PEO C3BM) to develop enterprise portfolio data architecture development systems management solutions for the DAF Battle Network development.  This includes connecting sensors, effectors, and logistics to achieve better situational awareness and faster, more decisive action against threats. Specifically, the C3BM Department of Air Force Integrated Fires Command and Control (DIFC2) Mission seeks to deliver an integrated network with data solutions to enable USAF, USSF, Joint, and Coalition decision processes.  Aerospace supports this effort with Mission Engineering (ME) analysis and technical data architecting solutions to analyze, design, and integrate current and emerging operational needs and capabilities to achieve desired mission outcomes. This position will support the C3BM Department of the Air Force Integrated Fires Command and Control (DIFC2) Program Office. 

To further our partnership with the C3BM Program Office in this area, we are seeking an agile, motivated Senior Project Engineer to support this expanding, high profile, mission area. This position will work across programs in various phases, from in acquisition through sustainment, finding least cost and technically sound engineering designs which support mission requirements.  The selected candidate will utilize their software expertise and leadership skills to see the engineering designs from concept development and stakeholder buy-in through implementation and test with mission partners. 

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in Reston, VA with the C3BM Program Office.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Support the USSF Material Leader responsible for DIFC2 material solutions
• Lead and mentor teams developing integrated software capabilities and executing analysis of government capability gaps across programs with an emphasis on software architectures and integration solutions to achieve mission success.
• Interface between program customers to capture requirements, internal Aerospace technical resources to execute, and deliver on objectives and relay insight and updates to Aerospace leadership on customer issues, risks, and opportunities.
• Applying skills and adaptability in various areas as a senior technical authority that may include resolution of software systems issues that can include software development, software architectures, enterprise systems, technology recommendations, secure cloud and virtualization deployments, microservices and API development, and systems modeling.
• Collaborate with solution providers to develop data and software integration strategies and design architectures for solution development of long range kill chains.
• Conduct engineering studies, readiness reviews, technology planning and insertion; performance assessments, and/or market research.
• Guide the Aerospace FFRDC team in evaluating development of DIFC2 deliverables in accordance with customer needs.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with customer leadership, capability-delivering contractors, ETG and other program office support organizations, including the creation of technical materials and the ability to present to key stakeholders and senior leaders.
• Build and maintain relationships across the C3BM Architect and Systems Engineering (ASE) Directorate to develop integrated, enterprise data and model solutions
• Manage organizational resources and utilize best practices in a manner that meets customer needs, complies with customer and Aerospace policies and fulfills the requirements of the relevant Aerospace contracts

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for DIFC2 Software Architectural Engineer (Senior Project Engineer - Software Architecture Engineering):

• Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or other related STEM degree is required
• 12 or more years of experience with systems engineering or program management activities with a focus on distributed software architectures is required
• Proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks effectively
• Ability to work both independently and in a collaborative environment.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills
• Experience in developing and architecting highly reliable and scalable distributed Software
• Strong knowledge of Software CI/CD Pipelines and Automated Test Infrastructure
• Comprehension of microservice architectures and how to integrate multiple microservices into an integrated user experience
• Understanding of methods and practices for accessing databases, message busses, and message streaming services
• Knowledge of Software Authentication and Authorization Mechanisms
• Experience with git and doc-as-code paradigm
• Skilled with web-based Software APIs 
• Proficiency with RMF And other Government Accreditation Processes
• Expertise with Software Acquisition Pathway (DODI 500.87) Processes
• Understanding of Software Authentication and Authorization Mechanisms e.g. RBAC and ABAC
• Experience with system design and performing trades between complexity and performance as it pertains to operating on large-scale datasets. 
• Development experience in Python, Spark, and Typescript 
• Willing to travel domestically to work location or customer site approx.10% (as required) 
• This position requires a current and active TS/SCI security clearance and the ability to obtain SAP clearances, 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 Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or closely related technical discipline is preferred
• Experience with integrating data capabilities across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace
• Experience with Intelligence Community space sensor capabilities and tasking processes
• The ability to work with cloud-native architectures for scalability and accessibility, and to enable real-time processing at the tactical edge.
• Expertise in network solutions and architectures that can connect legacy and future systems across diverse transport links 
• Prior experience with technical teams supporting C3BM or similar mission sets
• Familiarity with DoD Integrated Fires elements and development chains; military operations, procedures, and protocols involving multiple branches of the armed forces
• Knowledge of the DoD acquisition process for managing and funding complex, integrated, all-domain acquisition programs

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
• A 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.