FORGE Technical Lead, Cloud & Software Engineering

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 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 Materiel 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.

We are looking for a FORGE Technical Lead, Cloud & Software Engineering (Project Leader – Software Architecture Engineering and Cloud Computing Architecture) to join our Colorado-based Space-Based Sensing Division team supporting SSC FORGE acquisition efforts. The FORGE Technical Lead will lead key aspects of Aerospace’s FORGE acquisition lifecycle support, from ground system design through operations acceptance and handoff to sustainment, for all Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) program thrust areas. The Technical Lead will work across the program office to lead delivering next-generation overhead persistent infrared (OPIR) ground processing capabilities, with heavy emphasis toward adopting on-premises and commercial cloud architecture concepts, to operations.

This position requires on-site work at designated site locations, primarily at Buckley SFB in Aurora, CO, and BGIF in Boulder, CO, with occasional local travel to Schriever SFB in Colorado Springs, CO. Occasional out-of-state travel, primarily to Los Angeles, CA, may be required.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Provide essential technology subject matter expertise to the Aerospace/US Government program office team to guide development of future FORGE Mission Data Processing (MDP) capabilities, including framework and software releases
• Serve as a member of the trusted team of FORGE team representatives to the operations community, along with leading acquisition program office responses, engagement, and discussions with operations
• Integrate efforts across FORGE thrust area development activities, including FORGE Framework, FORGE Processing, FORGE C2, and future hosted tenants, to ensure consistency, mission assurance and operational suitability
• Lead technical trades defining/refining future FORGE technical program roadmaps and acquisition plans
• Represent Aerospace in program meetings and technical forums such as design reviews, technical interchanges, test reviews, deficiency review boards, and site-specific meetings
• Work independently with both internal and external customers and with technical support as a technical authority and consultant
• Lead and organize Aerospace’s technical efforts to deliver next-generation OPIR capabilities to operations
• Participate in program status assessments and independent risk assessments that inform Government and Aerospace management of problems and perceived technical problems and recommend courses of action (COA development)
• Provide on-site Aerospace presence and communicating with the customer, SETA, SE&I, and contractors
• Collaborate with SETA, SE&I, and Government customer counterparts to meet mission needs

What You Need to be Successful:

Minimum Requirements for Project Leader – Software Architecture Engineering and Cloud Computing Architecture:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or closely related technical field
• Proven track record of integrating effort between development and operations for newly-fielded systems
• 12 or more years of experience in leading teams in ground systems, software development and cloud engineering
• Demonstrated experience in the engineering and security of cloud-native architectures and mission-critical systems 
• Experience in designing, developing, deploying, operating, and evolving cloud infrastructures and platforms to support customers 
• Familiarity with cloud-native application architectures for building reliable, scalable, observable, and secure distributed applications in the cloud 
• This position requires a current and active TS/SCI security clearance, which is issued by the US 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:

• Proven ability to drive Agile workflows and maintain comprehensive technical documentation using ALM tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence)
• Experience bringing next-generation OPIR ground systems to operations
• Experience leading staff/support for operational next-generation OPIR systems
• Experience leading troubleshooting of advanced and complex, integrated systems
• Experience in systems engineering, testing, fielding, and operations of software-based systems 
• Experience evolving & delivering end-to-end mission capabilities
• Experience establishing and maintaining trusted relationships with government customers, prime and support contractors, and key stakeholders under minimal supervision 
• Demonstrated ability to create a positive team culture, mentor team members, and work effectively with multidisciplinary teams 

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 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.