Senior Software Architect for Modeling and Simulation

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.

The Modeling and Simulation Computing Department (MSCD) consists of a team dedicated to ground-breaking software solutions and capabilities for government and commercial customer needs.  We are looking for a Senior Software Architect for Modeling and Simulation Computing (Senior Engineering Specialist - Systems and Modeling and Simulation Engineer). We enable detailed and complex modeling, analysis, optimization, and visualization of satellite orbits, system architectures, and engineering trade-spaces to provide customer decision support for the future of space.

Work Model

• This is a full-time position based in Colorado Springs, CO, El Segundo, CA, or Chantilly, VA, offering a hybrid work model that combines 3 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business needs allow.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Act as a department senior liaison, providing proactive coordination and consultation to customers and Aerospace staff across the company; specifically, lead software architecture design teams for elements of the corporation’s effort to modernize major software workflows for high performance and cloud computing on internal and external compute resources.
  • Initiate and conduct efforts to grow and sustain our modeling, simulation, and analysis capabilities to support new and existing functional areas including digital engineering and cloud computing
  • Apply leadership and coordination across multi-disciplinary technical leaders, Aerospace Program Office personnel, and external customers.
  • Partner with analysis leads to exercise influence on key stakeholders and customers by leading engagement efforts as we modernize our modeling and simulation workflows.
• Support organizational and capability strategic planning, identifying opportunities to leverage development and analysis across diverse projects and analysis types while suggesting ways to close capability gaps.
• Engage with software end users and customers to refine capability requirements.
• Mature technical expertise in the department through mentoring team members and directing workflow development.
• Routinely communicate project progress, including recommended design solutions to technical leads, management, and customers
• Travel as necessary to support customer efforts.

What You Need to be Successful - Senior Engineering Specialist - Modeling & Simulation and Systems Software Engineering

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM
• 8 years of related and progressive experience
• Experience in designing modern software architectures
• Demonstrated experience as a technical lead of a software project
• Proficiency in developing software updates and understanding how they fit into the larger software structure as part of a team working to deliver complex projects on schedule
• Proficiency in one or more of the organization’s core computer languages such as Python or C++
• Experience leveraging software configuration management and collaboration tools in team environments (Bitbucket, Jira, GitHub, or similar)
• Experience in building technical proficiency through mentoring and talent development initiatives
• Ability to communicate effectively through technical writing and presentations
• Willing to travel occasionally to corporate or customer locations to support efforts as needed
• 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:

• Advanced degree in STEM
• Experience in space domain modeling, simulation, and analysis
• Experience with Aerospace customers and industry players
• Experience with agent-based modeling tools such as AFSIM (Advanced Framework for Simulation, Integration, and Modeling)
• Current TS/SCI or higher security 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 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.