Software Process Engineering Specialist

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.

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.

Software Process, Modeling, and Measurement Department staff combine expertise in software development process engineering, software project management, software process modeling, and software measurement and metrics to support our Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and civilian customers in their acquisition of software-intensive systems.

Work model

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA, offering a hybrid work model that combines 4 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business needs allow. 

What You’ll Be Doing

• This role provides a variety of specialized services.
  • Reviewing and tailoring software process standards for use in software-intensive system acquisition programs
  • Reviewing software acquisition documents—for example, plans for development, testing, and measurement; architecture and designs; and evaluation, risk, and product quality reports
  • Specifying software measurements and metrics
  • Reviewing, analyzing, and interpreting software metrics, and advising program office personnel of findings and recommendations
  • Developing software process maturity assessment instruments
  • Conducting software product and product assessments of Aerospace’s customer’s contractors
  • Producing static and dynamic software process models to develop recommendations for program offices to use in their interactions with their contractors
  • Managing and providing guidance for Aerospace internal software development projects
  • Reviewing project plans and progress reports for Aerospace internal software development projects
  • Coaching program office personnel in process improvement of software development for  system acquisitions
• This position reports to the Director of the Software Process, Modeling, and Measurement Department within the Software Engineering Subdivision
• Duties, responsibilities, and activities include other work as needed that falls within the scope of the department

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for Engineering Specialist- Systems Software Engineering:

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM; emphasis in  computer science, electrical or industrial engineering, mathematics, or closely related field
• Eight or more years of experience in professional software development is typical
• Strong technical background and clearly demonstrated expertise in software development processes such as requirements specification and backlog refinement, architecture and design, and implementation.
• Experience in unit testing, integration and system testing, and regression testing.
• Working knowledge in software configuration management, quality assurance, and/or  process coaching.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively in a cross-functional matrix organization
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills as demonstrated in publications and presentations
• Ability to apply standards, methods, and techniques used in the department, including but not limited to software process standards, process assessment techniques and instruments, measurement methods, and process improvement methods such as Six Sigma
• Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site/domestically if required; approximately 10%
• This position requires U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance issued by the U.S. government.

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Masters or Ph.D. degree in STEM; emphasis in computer science, electrical or industrial engineering, mathematics, or closely related field
• Experience leading or managing software development projects, including project estimation, risk management, process coaching, progress measurement and reporting, and monitoring product verification results
• Software development experience using CI/CD pipelines and/or DevSecOps
• Experience in cloud development and deployment
• Experience using AI\ML in software development
• Familiarity and use of Goal-Question-Metric and Practical Software Measurement for choosing and specifying software measures
• Experience interpreting software metrics and recommending or making process improvements
• Experience analyzing and improving processes using Six Sigma, Theory of Constraints, IDEAL, or other widely accepted approaches
• Experience in continuous and discrete event modeling and simulation
• Ability to model organizational workflows, processes, and systems using commercial simulation software such as ExtendSim and Vensim

• Working knowledge of statistics for analyzing simulation model inputs and outputs
• Experience conducting modeling study engagements from proposal through delivery of results, including process and data elicitation, modeling (input analysis, runs for statistics, output analysis), and verification and validation
• Experience in modeling and simulating software development processes
• Experience in statistical design of experiments (DOE) for simulation models
• Active DoD TS/SCI 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)

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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.