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Sr. Software System Architect Lead


Job Location:

El Segundo, CA - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 155900 - 233900
Posted: 13 August 2026 (12 days ago)
Application Deadline: 10 November 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

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 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 Aerospace Space Domain Superiority Directorate in the Special Programs Division supports a broad array of Combat Power missions covering the entire threat response chain from the Space Domain Awareness function through the multidomain effects needed for space superiority. These programs include major system acquisitions for multiple ground and space segments future architecture definition at the data/software/hardware levels and research and technology for continuous evolution of space warfighting capabilities.

We are looking for a Sr. Software System Architect Lead to contribute to a team that is developing and delivering a critical space control capability to guarantee space superiority for our nation. This work is focused on supporting all aspects of implementing programs within the tightly integrated program office consisting of military Aerospace and SETA personnel. You will work on site in the government program office where you will have frequent interaction with the government and support contractors. This opportunity will also collaborate with National Security Space mission partners that are building and integrating capabilities. This position allows for the opportunity to see your contributions to a critical mission become realized in the near future.

The Sr. Software System Architect Lead in the space domain will be responsible for overseeing the design integration and delivery of complex software systems from multiple vendors. The focus will be on validating a robust modular architecture that allows seamless collaboration between teams and ensures our space technologies are scalable secure and high-performing. Working in close collaboration with cross-functional teams (software engineers hardware engineers system integrators and vendors) this role will shape the future of our product line.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time on-site at our facility in El Segundo California.

What Youll Be Doing

  • Oversee the delivery of highly scalable fault-tolerant and secure systems
  • Define and enforce software standards ensuring that solutions meet performance security and scalability requirements
  • Collaborate with product managers engineers and external vendors to develop technical roadmaps and timelines
  • Lead technical reviews and design discussions with multiple vendors to ensure system integration aligns with overall project objectives
  • Establish and implement middleware and modular design frameworks (e.g. AUTOSAR DDS ROS) to support a modular software ecosystem
  • Develop and maintain documentation for all systems and components
  • Ensure compliance with industry standards and certifications relevant to the space domain (e.g. ECSS CCSDS)
  • Provide mentorship and guidance to development teams and vendors to ensure software best practices are followed
  • Collaborate on system testing validation and verification with teams to ensure a smooth performance of systems
  • Act as a point of escalation for complex technical challenges working closely with vendors to troubleshoot and resolve issues

What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements for Sr. Project Leader Systems Software Engineering and Cloud Computing Architecture:

  • Bachelors or Masters degree in Computer Science Systems Engineering or a related STEM field
  • 12 years of experience in software system design and systems integration
  • Proven experience working with vendors to deliver large-scale multi-component systems
  • Strong knowledge of cloud-native architectures and containerization technologies (e.g. Kubernetes Docker)
  • Experience with distributed systems microservices and event-driven architectures
  • Hands-on experience with DevOps practices including CI/CD automated testing and infrastructure as code
  • Excellent communication skills with a strong ability to collaborate across multi-disciplinary teams and vendors
  • Strong leadership and project management skills to drive cross-team alignment and vendor delivery
  • This position requires a current and active Top Secret/SCI security clearance issued by the US government. US 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:

  • Experience in the space or aerospace industry
  • Expertise in modular software design and middleware frameworks (e.g. AUTOSAR DDS ROS or similar)
  • Familiarity with space-related standards such as ECSS or CCSDS
  • Knowledge of high-performance computing real-time systems and security for mission-critical applications (Risk Management Framework)
  • Familiarity with AI/ML technologies and their applications in space systems

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 - $233900.00

Pay Basis: Annual

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 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:

Senior IC


About Company

Company Logo

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.

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