Winner of Built In's 2025 Best Places to Work
The Aerospace Corporation Logo

The Aerospace Corporation

System Architect

Posted Yesterday
Be an Early Applicant
Hybrid
3 Locations
100K-150K Annually
Senior level
Hybrid
3 Locations
100K-150K Annually
Senior level
Lead architecture studies, define system capabilities, collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams, and mentor junior staff to deliver impactful solutions.
The summary above was generated by AI

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 Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace's strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a diverse and dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space-enabled mission effects.
The Architecture Concepts Department (ArCon) provides expertise in architecture methods, processes, and tools to an extremely broad range of customers, including National Space Security (NSS) and other defense programs, NASA, NOAA, NNSA, DHS, and others. ArCon staff participate in and lead architecture trade studies, architecture conceptualization studies, architecture modeling tasks, and program assessment analyses at multiple levels of complexity, ranging from prototype systems to full scale acquisition systems in the space, ground, communications, and network domains. ArCon applies disciplined system architecting principles and leads cross-functional teams to provide impactful guidance to assist our customers in making key acquisition and operations decisions.
Work Model:
This position will follow an in-person work model with a minimum of 4 days per week of onsite work required at one of Aerospace's campuses in Chantilly, VA, Colorado Springs, CO, or El Segundo, CA.
What You'll Be Doing

  • Lead and participate in architecture studies of system concepts, to include multi-disciplinary engineering teams, supporting problem framing, gap analysis, and trade space assessment
  • Work with Aerospace program office, customer, and contractor personnel as a technical subject matter expert to elicit and identify needs, requirements, and constraints for studies; mentor junior staff; support the scoping, planning, and execution of the study; and effectively communicate task status, methods, results, and recommendations in briefings and formal technical reports
  • Define system capabilities, system of systems interfaces, and requirements for space, ground, or intersegment system architectures to address user needs and perspectives
  • Collaborate with other Aerospace personnel to marshal technical expertise in multiple technical disciplines and domains to enable concurrent engineering approaches to address complex problems


What You Need to be Successful
Minimum Requirements for Senior Member of the Technical Staff:

  • Bachelor of Science degree engineering, science, or a related technical field
  • At least 5 years of engineering experience in the space, intelligence, and/or defense domains
  • Experience in system or enterprise architecting, systems engineering, concept design, and/or model-based systems engineering
  • Excellent interpersonal and networking skills and ability to work effectively with a diverse set of collaborators
  • Exceptional time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and schedule commitments
  • Available and willing to travel domestically and internationally approx. 5-10%
  • A current and active Top Secret/SCI security clearance 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:

  • Master's and/or Ph.D. in engineering, math, science, or related technical discipline
  • Demonstrated initiative to innovate, shape, drive, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of tasks, projects, or organizations
  • Demonstrated success in organizing and leading cross-functional, cross-organizational teams to execute studies and assessments and generate quality products
  • More relevant work and/or graduate school experience, greater than 5 years, in system or enterprise architecting, systems engineering, or model-based systems engineering
  • More relevant work and/or graduate school experience, greater than 5 years, in space or ground systems. Experience in command and control, system of systems engineering, or system test and training are desired.
  • Hands-on experience with system or enterprise modeling in the Systems Modeling Language (SysML), Unified Architecture Framework (UAF), or Unified Profile for DoDAF and MODAF (UPDM)
  • Experience working closely with key Aerospace customer agencies in the defense and intelligence community, including strong knowledge of their domain and strong professional networks


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)
$100,300 - $150,400
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 [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.

Top Skills

Model-Based Systems Engineering
Systems Modeling Language
Unified Architecture Framework
Unified Profile For Dodaf And Modaf

Similar Jobs at The Aerospace Corporation

12 Days Ago
Hybrid
3 Locations
129K-194K Annually
Senior level
129K-194K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • Machine Learning • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Lead communication system architecture studies, defining system capabilities and requirements while collaborating with teams and mentoring junior staff.
Top Skills: SysmlUafUpdm
16 Days Ago
Hybrid
3 Locations
117K-227K Annually
Senior level
117K-227K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • Machine Learning • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Lead architecture studies alongside multi-disciplinary engineering teams, define system capabilities, and collaborate with customers to meet user needs in space and defense projects.
Top Skills: Model-Based Systems EngineeringSystem ArchitectingSystems Engineering
17 Days Ago
Hybrid
3 Locations
117K-227K Annually
Senior level
117K-227K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • Machine Learning • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Lead studies on system concepts with engineering teams, define system capabilities and interfaces, mentor junior staff, and communicate findings effectively.
Top Skills: Systems Modeling LanguageUnified Architecture FrameworkUnified Profile For Dodaf And Modaf

What you need to know about the Boston Tech Scene

Boston is a powerhouse for technology innovation thanks to world-class research universities like MIT and Harvard and a robust pipeline of venture capital investment. Host to the first telephone call and one of the first general-purpose computers ever put into use, Boston is now a hub for biotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence — though it’s also home to several B2B software giants. So it’s no surprise that the city consistently ranks among the greatest startup ecosystems in the world.

Key Facts About Boston Tech

  • Number of Tech Workers: 269,000; 9.4% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
  • Major Tech Employers: Thermo Fisher Scientific, Toast, Klaviyo, HubSpot, DraftKings
  • Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, robotics, software, aerospace
  • Funding Landscape: $15.7 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
  • Notable Investors: Summit Partners, Volition Capital, Bain Capital Ventures, MassVentures, Highland Capital Partners
  • Research Centers and Universities: MIT, Harvard University, Boston College, Tufts University, Boston University, Northeastern University, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, National Bureau of Economic Research, Broad Institute, Lowell Center for Space Science & Technology, National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account