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.

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.

The Information Systems and Cyber Division (ISCD) is a unique engineering division partnering across the full space enterprise to advance next-generation digital solutions and software-enabled mission capabilities. With customers spanning the DoD, Intelligence Community (IC), civil and commercial space, ISCD blends expertise in software architecture, AI/ML systems, data platforms and architecture, advanced cloud and edge infrastructure, cybersecurity, and full-stack engineering through mission-focused, collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams. These teams leverage hands-on prototyping and applied R&D to support customer concepts, digital architectures, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies into real-world mission environments.

The Data Platforms and Architectures Department (DPAD) within the ISCD organization is looking for a Senior Data Architect to lead the design and implementation of an AI-ready data platform that operates across distributed, multi-domain environments. This role will define and deliver scalable architectures that enable data federation, interoperability, and advanced analytics/AI capabilities across mission systems. It involves direct interaction with our government stakeholders and mission sponsors, translating their needs and requirements into the delivery of data products.

The ideal candidate is both strategic and hands-on, with deep experience in data architecture solutions (e.g., data mesh, data fabric, etc.), and a proven ability to drive enterprise-level transformation. They will be responsible for driving programs from concept through architecture, delivery, and operational adoption. This includes taking ownership of outcomes related to architecture, execution, risk management, and delivery, all within a national security and mission-critical context.

This is a full-time , onsite position based in Chantilly, VA or El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing – Sr. Data Architect

• Define and lead the architecture for an AI-ready data platform supporting real-time, batch, and streaming workloads
• Design distributed data architectures across cloud, on-prem, and edge environments
• Establish multi-domain data federation strategies enabling unified access without unnecessary data movement
• Develop data mesh or data fabric frameworks including domain ownership, interoperability, and governance
• Ensure data readiness for AI (quality, lineage, metadata, labeling, governance)
• Design and implement data services layer (APIs, event streaming, data contracts, schema management)
• Enable interoperability across heterogeneous systems (legacy + modern platforms)
• Implement data governance frameworks including catalog, lineage, and policy enforcement
• Partner with engineering, AI/ML, cloud, and mission stakeholders to drive adoption
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship across teams
• Influence enterprise roadmaps and investment priorities

What You Need To Be Successful

• 10+ years of experience in data architecture, distributed systems, or data platforms
• Proven experience designing enterprise-scale data platforms
• Deep expertise in distributed data architectures ,Data mesh and/or data fabric
• Hands on experience using data federation and virtualization technologies
• Strong experience with data pipelines (batch + streaming) ,Event-driven architectures (e.g., Kafka, Pulsar, Kinesis) and Data modeling and schema design (Avro, Protobuf, JSON)
• Experience enabling AI/ML platforms, including data pipelines for training and inference
• Strong understanding of data governance, lineage, cataloging , data quality and observability frameworks
• 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

• Demonstrated experience with U.S. DoD, space, and intelligence programs.
• Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP, or GovCloud equivalents)
• Familiarity with OPIR, SDA tracking missions, missile defense, and kill-chain acceleration is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of agentic AI, autonomous systems, and large-scale simulation (Mod&Sim).
• Active 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)

$151,300.00 - $226,900.00

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 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.