Senior Technical Lead - Space Data Systems

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 Space Combat Readiness Infrastructure (SCRI) organization is responsible for integrated system-of-systems’ architecture that enables USSF Guardians to test, train, and develop tactics in an operationally relevant environment to achieve & sustain full-spectrum readiness.  We are the organization enabling the transition of systems under test to operational fielding of warfighting capabilities to USSF Guardians. We are looking for a Senior Technical Lead - Space Data Systems who will serve as a senior technical advisor and hands-on leader shaping both near-term integration efforts and long-term strategic direction for critical Space Force data systems operating across multiple classification levels. This position offers a unique opportunity to directly influence Space Force thinking, architectures, future acquisition strategies, and mission-critical data systems supporting space warfighting capabilities. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at a government facility in Colorado Springs, CO. What You’ll Be Doing   Providing Aerospace support to the Unified Data Library (UDL) program and the Infrastructure PAE. This a key position with the potential to shape Space Force thinking and future military activities in the management of Space Data Lead classified data integration efforts across multiple classification domains (Unclassified, Secret, Top Secret, SAP), including Cross Domain Solution (CDS) implementations and classified network architectures for mission-critical data feeds Act as senior technical advisor and spokesperson to Space Systems Command program office leadership, formulating and overseeing system requirements, architecture, and systems engineering practices using strategic thinking to guide decision-making Provide hands-on technical leadership architecting and evaluating cloud-native architectures (primarily in AWS GovCloud), database technologies, API Gateway solutions, and microservices architectures Lead diverse technical teams in executing systems engineering, integration, and test responsibilities across geographically dispersed organizations, while mentoring team members on technical and program office duties Ensure mission assurance for key space-specific data products from the Mission Delta 2, mission partners, and industry, across multiple data distribution systems Foster innovation by prototyping emerging technologies and authoring technical white papers and strategic planning documents for Space Force leadership What You Need to be Successful Minimum Requirements for Sr. Project Leader - Cloud Computing Architecture and Software Architecture Engineering: Bachelor's degree from an accredited program in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, or related technical discipline Twelve or more years of technical and leadership experience Proven track record leading technical teams (5+ people) in delivering complex integration projects across organizational boundaries Hands-on experience (not just oversight) in at least three of the following: software development and code review, cloud architecture and deployment (AWS preferred), database design and optimization, API development, or DevOps practices Excellent soft skills enabling effective communication with customers, colleagues and senior management, including the ability to present technical concepts to non-technical audiences Demonstrated ability to balance hands-on technical work (code review, architecture evaluation) with strategic leadership responsibilities Experience working with integrated, multidisciplinary, multi-organizational teams and managing remote or geographically distributed team members Ability to travel as required (approximately 10%) This position requires and Active Top Secret / SCI clearance, with ability to obtain and maintain Special Access (SAP) clearance, which is issued by the US 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 academic degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, or related technical discipline First-hand knowledge of government data systems like the Unified Data Library, Clairvoyant, Warp Core, or similar data systems Experience architecting, developing, and deploying resilient data systems  Experience with proc