Data Architect
Chantilly, VA - USA
Job Summary
The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nations 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 youll be part of a special collection of problem solvers thought leaders and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.
The Digital Innovation Division (DID) is accountable for generating and executing integrated strategies providing governance and managing internal investments that form the foundation of Aerospaces digital transformation.
The Digital Innovation Division is seeking an experiencedData Architect to design govern and modernize enterprise data capabilities across a complex technical environment. This role willbe responsible fordeveloping scalable data architectures improving data interoperability enabling trusted analytics and supporting the organizations broader digital transformation goals.
Youwill work across mission business engineering cybersecurity and IT stakeholders to ensure that data is treated as a strategic asset. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical depth practical implementation experience and the ability to translate enterprise needs into durable data architecture patterns standards and solutions.
Work Model: 100% onsite; Chantilly Colorado Springs El Segundo.
WhatYoullBe Doing
Develop andmaintainenterprise data architecture frameworks reference architectures design patterns and standards.
Define target-state data architectures that support analytics AI/ML digital engineering mission applications and enterprise reporting.
Assess current-state data environmentsidentifygaps and develop practical roadmaps for modernization.
Designarchitecturesfor structured semi-structured and unstructured data across cloud on-premises hybrid andclassified networks
Design conceptual logical and physical data models for enterprise and mission systems.
Support integration across legacy systems data platforms software factories analytics environments and business applications.
Ensure architecture decisions align with governance security compliance privacy and mission requirements.
Advise on data platform capabilities including data lakes warehouseslakehouses catalogs pipelines streaming platforms knowledge graphs and API layers.
Architect data foundations that enable reliable AI/ML development model training retrieval-augmented generation advanced analytics and operational decision support.
Translate technical architecture concepts into clear guidance for executives program leaders engineers analysts and data owners.
Facilitate architecture reviews working groups and design sessions.
Produce clear architecture artifacts including diagrams roadmaps standards decision records and implementation guidance.
What You Need to be Successful
MinimumRequirements:
Bachelors degree in Computer Science Data Engineering Computer Engineering SW Engineering Information Systems or a related field (or equivalent work experience).
7 years of experience in data engineering data architecture or data operations
Significant experiencedesigning enterprise data architectures in complex organizations.
Strong knowledge of data modeling data integration metadata management data quality and data governance.
Experience with modern data platforms such as cloud data warehouses data lakeslakehouses relational databases NoSQL stores or distributed processing platforms.
Experience designing APIs data pipelines data exchange patterns or integration architectures.
Working knowledge of security access control compliance and data protection principles.
Demonstrated ability to produce architecture artifacts technical standards and implementation roadmaps.
Strong problem-solving skills with a strategic mindset and the ability to design and evolve enterprise-scale data ecosystems.
Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Excellent interpersonal skills with a proventrack recordof fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing across diverse teams.
Demonstrated ability for innovation creativeness resourcefulness and initiative.
Position requires ability to obtain andmaintaina security clearance which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship isto obtain a security clearance.
How You Can Stand Out
It would be impressive if youhaveone or more of these:
Advanced degree in STEM or other technical discipline.
10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in data engineering data architecture or data operations with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role.
Certifications in cloud (AWS Azure) DevOps or security (CISSP CISA).
Direct mission experience in the national space domain missile defense and/or remote sensing.
Experience with tools such as Databricks Snowflake PostgreSQL Neo4j Kafka Airflowdbt Collibra Alation Informatica or similar platforms.
Experience with AI/ML data preparation feature stores vector databases knowledge graphs or retrieval-augmented generation architectures.
Experience supporting classified cross-domain or multi-network environments.
Familiarity withDevSecOpsDataOpsGitOps CI/CD infrastructure-as-code and automated data quality testing.
Experience with enterprise architecture frameworks architecture review boards or technical governance bodies.
Current DoD TS and SSBI/SCI Clearance
We offer a competitive compensation package where youll 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)
$155900.00 - $233900.00Pay Basis: AnnualLeadership 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 otherthe 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 equalopportunity 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 colorreligiongeneticinformation 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 youre 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 emailat .You can also reviewKnow Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.
Required Experience:
Staff IC
About Company
Aerospace operates the only federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) committed exclusively to the space enterprise. Our technical experts span every discipline of space-related science and engineering.