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Section Manager – SW Process and Architecture

Compensation
$147,600–$221,400/year

Job Description

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.

Information Systems and Cyber Division (ISCD) staff couple the latest in information system technologies, such as elastic compute clouds, containerization, microservices, real-time operating systems, and visualization frameworks, with expertise in cyber security, software architecture, software engineering, data science, Artificial Intelligence, process improvement, and software development to deliver responsive, resilient, high-performance software intensive systems to our Intelligence Community, DoD, and civilian customers. 

The Software Process and Architecture Department seeks a creative and enthusiastic Engineering Manager to lead a team of software engineers responsible for designing, building, deploying, and evaluating software applications for space missions, combining deep technical expertise in software development, strong leadership, and managerial experience. 

The Engineering Manager will lead a team of software engineers in development of software using modern software principles and processes, including agile, iterative, incremental, and DevSecOps, leveraging AI, tools, and frameworks to accelerate development The manager will also provide acquisition support to the government throughout the lifecycle of the acquisition process, including requirements definition, architecture and design, implementation, and validation and verification of the software system, while defining measures and performing data driven analysis to assess progress and successful completion of the software  

If you are an energetic individual who takes initiative, has a passion for leading, coaching and mentoring staff, has strong technical and customer-facing skills, this role is ideal for you! 

Work Model 

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA which is 100% onsite 

What You’ll Be Doing 

  • Lead the architecture, design and implementation of modeling and simulation software that informs our customers in various mission areas 

  • Set technical direction, priorities, and project performance expectations 

  • Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and engineering excellence 

  • Coach staff to develop deep expertise in software development process methodologies and best practices, software architecture, and design 

  • Develop staff through performance management, evaluation, coaching, mentoring and promotional actions. 

  • Mentor staff to effectively engage with customers and teammates on best practices for software architecture, design, requirements, development, and integration. 

  • Support proposal development, technical reviews, and executive briefings 

  • Coordinate with customers to determine tasking, planning, report progress, and resolve technical issues, to improve tasking coordination and ensure project success. 

  • Interface with program office and government customers, other corporate support organizations, as well as other departments to include finding opportunities for additional, expanded, or new business.   

  • Build a talented organization through recruiting, hiring, and on-boarding new staff. 

 

What You Need to be Successful 

Minimum Requirements: 

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related  STEM  field(s)   

  • At least 8 years of experience in software engineering 

  • 2+ years of technical leadership or people management experience 

  • Strong technical background with demonstrated expertise across the software development lifecycle, including requirements development, architecture and design, implementation, testing, software configuration management, quality assurance, and process improvement/coaching. 

  • Ability to establish and develop effective working relationships with all levels of customers and corporate staff 

  • Experience in software technologies and tool sets for full stack development, CI/CD pipelines, DevSecOps, AI, container and cloud deployment. 

  • Experience with at least two different programming languages (e.g. Python, C/C++, Java.)  

  • Ability to be flexible, adaptable, and able to manage multiple simultaneous tasks 

  • Willing to travel occasionally to alternate work location or customer site if required    

  • This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a 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: 

  • Advanced degree in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field(s) 

  • Experience in development of software for defense, aerospace, intelligence, or mission-critical systems, including embedded software, satellite flight software and/or ground software 

  • Experience with application of standards, methods, and techniques used in the department, including but not limited to software process standards, process assessment techniques and instruments, measurement methods (GQM, PSM), and process improvement methods such as Six Sigma 

  • Experience in performing software architecture evaluations 

  • Experience in hiring, mentoring, training, and development of personnel 

  • Demonstrated experience leading development teams, coordinating complex technical tasks among team members, and translating customer needs into viable instructions for developers 

  • Experience engaging with both government and contractor counterparts  

  • Experience with government acquisition processes 

  • Active DoD TS/SCI 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)

$147,600.00 - $221,400.00

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.

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Job Details

Category
Business & Finance
Employment Type
Contract
Location
El Segundo, CA
Posted
May 15, 2026, 02:45 PM
Compensation
$147,600 - $221,400 per year

About The Aerospace Corporation

Part of the growing frontier tech ecosystem pushing the edges of what's possible.

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Section Manager – SW Process and Architecture
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