Cyber Security Architect

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.

Building on The Aerospace Corporation's reputation as a trusted, impartial advisor with integrity and dedication to mission success, the Civil Systems Group (CSG) combines deep technical expertise with market-leading innovation to help our customers solve complex systems engineering and integration challenges. CSG is organized by core customer-facing lines of business to manage and grow programs within NASA, NOAA, and the NNSA, while extending our capabilities to other civilian federal government agencies fully integrated within Aerospace rules, regulations, processes, values, and behaviors.

Within the CSG, the Human Exploration and Space Flight (HESF) Division supports our NASA customer in all aspects of human space flight. HESF is seeking a Cyber Security Architect (Senior Member of Technical Staff- Cyber Security Architecture) to work closely with key stakeholders including government agencies, prime contractors, commercial vendors, and internal teams to define and implement robust cybersecurity measures across complex systems.  You will facilitate the definition of security objectives, develop system security requirements and verification methods, and support mission-critical engineering decisions by providing a cybersecurity-informed perspective. Your work will ensure that security objectives, protection needs, assurance requirements, and risk management strategies are clearly defined, implemented, and validated. 

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, TX.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Engage with stakeholders to ensure that security objectives, protection needs and concerns, assurance needs, security requirements (including measures of effectiveness [MOEs] and measures of performance [MOPs], and associated validation methods are defined and documented.  
• Define system security requirements and develop comprehensive verification methods.  
• Capture critical system security information in functions such as NASA Engineering Insight or equivalent processes.  
• Support NASA RMF Cybersecurity Process.  
• Develop security views and viewpoints of the overall system’s architecture and design, ensuring alignment with broader aerospace or defense strategies.  
• Identify and assess susceptibilities and vulnerabilities across the system lifecycle in the face of inherent hazards and adversaries.  
• Design and plan preemptive and reactive security features and functions to manage asset loss and mitigate potential loss consequences.  
• Perform system security analyses and interpret results from complementary analyses to support engineering tradeoffs and risk management decisions.  
• Quantify and evaluate the cost implications, benefits, and risks associated with alternative security features and functions.  
• Inform decision-making through evidence-based reasoning that demonstrates security and trustworthiness claims are met to the desired assurance level.  
• Act as a cybersecurity resource during software, hardware, and broader engineering discussions, leveraging specialized expertise to address all feasible solutions.  

What You Need to be Successful - Senior Member of Technical Staff- Cyber Security Architecture

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM, with major in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or related technical discipline.   
• 3 years or more professional experience related to cybersecurity . 
• Proven ability in performing system security analyses and presenting findings to technical and non-technical audiences. 
• Familiarity in identifying, quantifying, and evaluating security risks, including assessing trade offs and recommending appropriate risk treatment strategies. 
• Experience supporting NASA flight operations including adhering to NASA operational procedures 
• Experience in collaboration with NASA centers. 
• Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site domestically approx. 10%. 
• This position may require the 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

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or closely related technical discipline 
• Prior involvement in security architecture or engineering support roles for defense, aerospace, or comparable complex systems. 
• Experience with Embedded Systems Microcontroller Development 
• Experience with NASA Project Lifecycle 
• Expertise in NASA Human Spaceflight topics and safety matters 

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.