Join The Aerospace Corporation as a Data Engineer / Software Developer

The Aerospace Corporation proudly partners with the nation’s space programs, delivering unmatched technical expertise and tackling the most challenging problems. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we provide innovative solutions across satellites, launches, ground operations, and cyber systems for defense, civil, and commercial customers. Become part of a remarkable group of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

At Aerospace, we are dedicated to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where all employees share our common passion and aspiration—to carry out a mission larger than ourselves.

About the Role: Data Engineer / Software Developer

The Datacentric Platforms and Architectures Department is seeking a creative Software Developer or Data Engineer (Engineering Specialist) to join a motivated team. You will engage in researching, prototyping, understanding, and building data platforms and cloud-native applications for the space enterprise. You’ll work on innovative projects focused on modern data platforms that adopt cloud technology and feature self-service capabilities.

Work Model

This position offers a hybrid work model with partial remote work and some onsite requirements in Chantilly, VA, based on business needs.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Collaborate with Intelligence Community, DoD, and civil and commercial customers such as NNSA and NASA.
• Lead, coordinate, and collaborate with multi-functional teams to build and deploy prototypes supporting the customer's mission using cloud services or on-premises infrastructure.
• Analyze mission data and architectures to inform future customer decisions and contracts.
• Build enterprise data platforms and architectures for various data domains that ensure operational excellence, security, reliability, performance, and cost optimization. This includes data model designs and prototypes, data warehouse or database management, and data analytics platforms.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree in applicable STEM areas or other disciplines.
• 8 years of experience in software engineering, computer science, data engineering, or related fields.
• Proficiency in at least one common programming language (e.g., Java, Python, C, Go).
• Understanding of at least one of the following technical subjects: Container technologies and container orchestration systems (e.g., Kubernetes/EKS), Cloud-native application development and/or cloud infrastructure development, Working with databases (SQL, NoSQL) and ETL processes, Data integration tools, platforms, and pipelines (e.g., Apache Airflow, Apache Spark, Denodo, Palantir’s WarpCore).
• Excellent communication skills, including presentation, written, and interpersonal abilities, with the capability to build working relationships with other engineers, program offices, and customers.
• Willingness to travel approximately 5% (occasionally to work locations or customer sites domestically/internationally).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government (U.S. citizenship required).

How You Can Stand Out:

• Advanced (Master’s, PhD) degree in applicable STEM areas or other disciplines.
• 12 years of experience in software engineering, computer science, data engineering, or related fields.
• Hands-on experience with cloud technologies and services in on-premises (e.g., VMware) and commercial clouds (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, Oracle).
• Knowledge of semantic data management or graph databases (e.g., Neo4J, AWS Neptune).
• Experience with creating and maintaining organizational data management policies.
• Active TS security clearance.

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of their level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is to our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we seek individuals who:

• Operate Strategically.
• Lead Change.
• Engage with Impact.
• Foster Innovation.
• Deliver Results.

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your